‘White elephant’ park remains closed

According to Ward 29 Clr Haseena Ismail, the swings in the park are not functional, which causes a safety hazard to children.

However, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the park has not been opened because the grass and plants need to be established and concrete needs to dry.

“The park has been deemed open, yet the swings have not been completed and the mayor has not officially opened it,” Ismail said.

“The mayor said in his 100-day speech that he opened two parks in Actonville (one in Gandhi Street and the other in Kimberley Street) and we were told he would officially open the park on October 14, but nobody came.”

Residents on the street said the park needs to be opened after completion.

“We were told the mayor would officially open the park in October,” said a resident who did not want to be named.

“We eagerly waited on the day, but to no avail; the mayor did not pitch.”

Ismail said R1-million was spent on the facility, but there is no point of having a beautiful park when it is incomplete.

“We do not understand why the park has been deemed open yet it is not complete,” said another resident.

“Several times the contractors tended to the facilities in the park, but the swings are still not in use.”

Ismail said she submitted petitions regarding the park and some work was done, but to date it has not been completed.

“I find it unacceptable and unprofessional that R1-m of tax-payers’ monies are spent on a park that is now a white elephant.”

According to Gadebe, the recreational area will be opened in April.

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