WARD 33 councillor, Mmabatho Tembe, has expressed concern regarding the lack of security around the former Umbilo Congella Sports Club grounds.
Tembe said it is public knowledge that the property is earmarked for development, however she felt some security around the grounds as well as upkeep were pertinent.
“Every time DSW and Metro Police clean up the grounds, the next week there are the same issues of illegal dumping and vagrancy on the grounds. People are still living in the bush at the side opposite King Edward Hospital, and there are reports of drug dealing in and around the property,” she said.
She said vagrants were living in one of the buildings on the property which was in a terrible condition.
“This building is not suitable for human habitation, there is no waste disposal or sanitation, and it is right opposite the hospital! Something needs to be done to ensure the building and the grounds are maintained and people are removed from the building, until any development takes place,” she said.
Tembe said she would follow up with this when she returns from maternity leave at the end of April.
She said this issue also leads to a follow up on the state of the road outside King Edward Hospital, which was highlighted in Berea Mail on 23 December.
“I reported the condition of the roads around the hospital, and urged DSW to clean up the litter. I was told the department had been tasked to clean up the area, but it seems nothing has been done,” she said.