Victoria Lake sewage upsets nature lovers
This poses a health risk to the park runners because the 5km run goes all the way down by the old toilets.
The Victoria Lake parkrunners and lovers are unhappy with the park’s condition.
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Tony Gordon, the organiser of the parkrun at the lake, said the city does not look after the park.
“There has been sewage flowing from the old lake’s toilets into the grass, the pathways and the lake. This poses a health risk to the parkrunners because the 5km run goes all the way down by the old toilets,” said Gordon.
According to him, this is a long-standing problem, and when reported, nothing happens.
“We have sent the necessary evidence to show the sewage flowing, but we have still not received a solid answer to say when the matter will be sorted,” said Gordon.
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“Furthermore, the newly built toilets are never opened.
“The parkrun starts at 08:00, and the toilets are never open.
“We have offered to have a key so that we open for the parkrunners and close when done, but the city is not agreeable to this arrangement.
“We don’t understand why we cannot use the toilets. They are not meant for park visitors,” said Gordon.
He said his biggest concern is the health implications of sewage constantly flowing and the risk it poses to runners when they run over it.
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“I have been sending numerous emails, and I have not even received one hopeful email that says we will get it sorted or even an explanation.
“This is a public space that needs to be enjoyed, but if there is a health hazard, people cannot enjoy this space,” said Gordon.
GCN visited the lake and noticed that the general upkeep was not up to standard.
A part of the fence near the entrance is damaged and has not been fixed for months.
Litter is all over the park, the grass is overgrown, and beer bottles just lie around.
GCN spoke to a park visitor at the time of our visit, Sipho Mahlangu, who added his voice to the dissatisfaction with the park conditions.
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“Beer bottles are lying around and papers too. Especially after weekends, it is terrible.
“The grass is so overgrown you cannot even see. Even if they trim the trees or cut the grass, they don’t clean up nicely,” said Mahlangu.
He said he does not enjoy the space anymore because of its conditions.
A letter was sent to the CoE’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, on March 9, questioning the conditions of the park.
A follow-up was sent on March 22.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
