Klopperpark Fire Station remains incomplete after six years

The incomplete fire station in Klopperpark is causing locals and ward councillor Kade Guerreiro concern.

The project came to a hiatus in 2017 when the contractor backed down. Six years later and the project has been shelved.

Guerreiro said that because the value of nearby homes has been impacted, the unfinished project has had a negative effect on those home owners.

“Who wants to purchase a home next to a vacant structure? The value of the nearby homes would undoubtedly rise if the project was completed,” said Guerreiro.

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“There have been reports of criminal activity along Welcome Street. The shrubs near the fire station have become a convenient place for criminals to hide.

“There has been evidence of illegal dumping near the station. The area has been transformed into a recycling spot.

“Residents find it difficult to actually keep track of things going on in their neighbourhood because so many people come and go.

“Companies near the station have been impacted by the illicit dumping that occurs across their borders,” said Guerreiro.

He believes homeless people sleep inside the incomplete station.

“Residents claim to have witnessed night-time fires. It demonstrates that there are inhabitants there. There is only one female security officer at the station and I don’t believe she can oversee the area alone.”

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He called on City of Ekurhuleni to complete the project and to safeguard infrastructure.

“Only 31 of 135 fire engines are operational in Ekurhuleni. This means that 77% of the city’s fire engine fleet is out of service. This accounts to one to two fire engines per station,” said Guerreiro.

GCN sent a request for comment to the City of Ekurhuleni requesting comment by September 22 at 09:00.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.

The commander of the Bedfordview CPF patrol, Jacques Steyn, indicated that in addition to squatters damaging the station and stealing metal objects, they also face additional difficulties.

The biggest problem, according to him, is a shortage of patrollers and inadequate night-time lighting, which frequently results in vehicles being damaged by potholes.

“Welcome Street has no lights, and the vagrants know how to hide. In order to combat crime in the area, we encourage more locals to join the CPF,” said Steyn.