Parts of Region A parks plagued by criminality and drug elements, says City Parks regional manager
Captain Ben Matimulane, spokesperson of the Ivory Park police, confirmed that a case theft was opening on October 26 by JCPZ and it is currently under investigation.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo regional manager in Region A, Joseph Ndou has described the spike of park vandalism as a ‘losing war’ if they do not receive assistance.
Ndou said although areas differ, challenges they face within their parks are not the same either.
He said Noordwyk and Seventh Street parks in Halfway House, are mostly faced with illegal selling of drugs and as such have turned into drug dens. Meanwhile, in the greater Ivory Park, open spaces and parks were being targeted by criminals who are stripping and vandalising parks infrastructure.
Midrand Police Station spokesperson Constable Eliot Mabulane said no formal complaint has been made regarding these allegations. However, they have received some information from some residents. “Due to information received and identification of those areas through patrols, we were able to identify some spots. On a daily basis, two and more suspects dealing in drugs and dagga are arrested and convicted. Our crime prevention members and tracing are always on the ground to address these issues where they sometimes disguise to be able to get to these criminals,” said Mabulane.
He said Brigadier David Molefi Tsotsotso has also tasked the police members to bring in more arrests relating to drug dealers.
City Parks opened a case at Ivory Park Police Station after Thuthukani Park in Ivory Park was the latest hit with criminality elements.
Ndou said they have noticed that, to date, the removal of pavement bricks is something common that criminals do at park facilities. “[This] is followed by removing of palisade fencing. This can only be prevented if the residents and the public at large come to the party by ensuring that all illegal activities are reported to the relevant authorities so that culprits can be arrested. Without public involvement and assistance, City Parks and Zoo will be fighting a losing war,” said Ndou.
He said he and his team were distraught at the state of the park, considering the amount of work and capital that have been put into its development.
Ndou said he believes that most of the people who are conducting these illegal activities in their park facilities are well-known by members of the public.
Ivory Park police spokesperson Captain Ben Matimulane confirmed that a case of theft was opening on October 26. “Crime in our area is not specifically targeted at park goers, however, it does happen at the parks, as much as it happens in homes, streets, and busy places. People across all walks should normalise being the eyes and ears of the police. This can be achieved anonymously in that a reporter can do so without revealing their identities. We need all the information. Address, if the crime is taking place at an address, description of the vehicles and even of the suspects,” said Matimulane.
He said they have not found any perpetrators anything as yet and the case is still under investigation.
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