Although the Merafong City Local Municipality’s official swimming season started in September, al- ready, neither the Carletonville nor the Fochville municipal swimming pools had opened by this week. The Herald investigated the state of the pools as many locals, espe- cially children, would have gone swimming if they had had the opportunity. The Carletonville municipal swimming pool’s gates were closed while a guard watched over the facility this week. For that reason, it is unclear what state the pool is currently in. However, photos shared on social media earlier this year showed rubbish and debris floating in the pool. The Fochville swimming pool in Malva Street is in a much worse state. Several windows are smashed and the ceiling at the entrance is full of holes and has partially collapsed. 
The swimming pool is empty and parts of the razor wire on top of the walls have even been stolen. Vandals have also sprayed graffiti on the face brick in front of the main entrance. On Tuesday, the Herald asked the municipality what plans, if any, it had to open the pools this summer. “The municipality acknowledges that the Fochville swimming pool has been badly vandalised. Due to the municipality’s budget constraints, the pool won’t be revamped soon but at a later stage. The Carletonville pool has a problem with the pump. It will open as soon as the pump is replaced,” the municipal spokesperson answered. The Herald also asked the municipality about its claims before the election that the swimming pool in Wedela would be rebuilt. If so, who would be responsible for its maintenance? The municipality did not answer these questions, however.
