eThekwini pools are still neglected, says councillor

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has been warning the Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Unit of the consequences of neglecting municipal pools since June and feels the City has dropped the ball.

Commenting on the issue, Councillor Mmabatho Tembe said since June she has been aware that there have been no contracts for chlorine, and pools were drained for “maintenance” that never materialised.

She said the PRC Unit has blamed contractual delays on the Supply Chain Management department, stating the hold-up is within that department. She feels this is just another distraction from the department as they failed to get their house in order on time.

“Two months ago the DA was informed by the department that they will have an updated report on all operational pools in the city. The Head of the Unit, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, also committed to opening all pools by 1 November, which never happened. Despite several requests by the DA, that report has not been fully tabled before the committee. On 26 November, the DA requested a report on pools as the December summer season has arrived and the officials tendered a vague, verbal report, stating pools were to be opened on the first of December,” said Tembe.

ALSO READ: Durban pools in sorry state

She said this is the second time the PRC has shifted the timeline regarding the opening of pools and yet again, they have not adhered to it.

Tembe said pools have still not been opened and many stand empty.

The budget for pools has also seemingly been re-directed without clarity on when it will be replaced.

Residents commented on the state of the pool at Sutton Park, Morningside, on social media at the weekend, bemoaning the fact the property was overgrown with weeds, and the pool had not been open for months.

Ward councillor, Ernest Smith, said he had visited the pool, and was told staff had been waiting for a month for a pump to spray the weeds with chemicals.

“The pool has been closed since March due to a structural leak. This has been ongoing for years, with the pool being topped up, and now they are looking to repair it. I have three pools in my ward, and I will be following up on when these will be open as there has been a poor, or no response, on the matter,” he said.

The Rachel Finlayson Pool at the Durban beachfront is also closed, and once again empty.

According to eThekwini DA caucus leader Councillor Nicole Graham, the issue has been ongoing for years, and had been closed for a number of festive seasons. She said the non-functional pool would have a direct impact on tourism.

ALSO READ: Call for investigation as beachfront pool remains closed

Councillor Tembe said: “The PRC Unit has become notorious for bad planning, lapsed contracts and broken promises. They are in the deep end, unable to do basic tasks or commit to simple time frames. Pools are a critical public facility for health, fitness and relaxation. The DA will continue the fight to ensure that pools are opened are delivered and residents get the services that they deserve.”

In response to a query from Berea Mail on the matter, eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela, said the City is currently in the process of complying with the Covid-19 regulations to ensure the safety of the public and employees.

“The Aquatic Safety-Pools has since acquired the necessary Covid-19 PPE for employees, however, to have such equipment in a pool facility and be able to use it, two lifesavers are required to be present per shift as legislated by the Disaster Management Act, and currently we cannot comply. We are currently in the process of engaging temporary staff to enable us to comply with legislation. Pools will reopen before the December school holiday begins.”

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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