Quotations have been requested for repairs of Boksburg Lake facility
Apart from being unprotected against vandals, the property has a very untidy and unkempt appearance, with rubbish, including plastic, cans and bottles, littered about, and the paved area and the lawn have become jungles of weeds.
The municipality says the newly constructed multimillion-rand state-of-the-art Boksburg Lake recreational facility was left unsecured as an inevitable direct consequence of limited budgets.
The metro spent over R13-million on the lake’s south/east bank project where contractors were appointed to install outdoor fitness equipment, a children’s play park, new pathways and lawns, as well as fully fencing the section.
It’s only a few months after the project was completed, but vandals and thieves have already ruined the council-owned facility. Part of the fence has been vandalised, water taps have been stolen, and water pipes had been leaking clean drinking water since then.
The metro said it has since come to its attention that criminals have been ruining the property, adding that quotations have been requested for the repairs thereof.
Q: When will the damaged fence and taps be repaired?
A: Once the process of adjudicating the quotations in terms of Council’s Procurement process and the necessary approvals issued is complete.
Q: Why are the new sections of the facility not secured and maintained properly?
A: The contractor on site has been instructed to maintain the facility.
Q: Why are the new sections of the facility not secured?
A: Due to budget constraints, we are relying on roving patrols.
Q: Who will be held liable should vandals and criminals steal all the newly installed equipment?
A: The offender as well as any scrap metal dealer in possession if caught will be criminally prosecuted and once security is appointed, the tender for security guards makes provision that any loss of council’s assets under their supervision is for the cost and replacement of the security company.
Q: Is there logic in investing millions of rands in revamping the public facility, and then leave it exposed to theft and vandals?
A: Council invests in extensive community facilities, striving to ensure as much vandalproof measures and security is provided; however, budgets are not unlimited and even where there is security, vandalism and theft occurs, particularly after hours and usually under cover of darkness, hampering security efforts.
The Boksburg Lake had been a contentious subject for the past couple of years, with concerned residents questioning the government’s ability to protect and maintain the facility which was at some stage turned into a crime hot spot, where people were raped, mugged and bodies found dumped in the water.
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