Ferndale Spruit Park besieged

FERNDALE – Ferndale Spruit Park is beset with problems.

Abundant litter, more vagrants moving in by the month and burning its vegetation to keep warm at night, and now Eskom allegedly driving over its fence, burning branches and leaving rubble in the bush does not bode well for the park in the green belt.

Resident George Veltchev explained that since the last time the condition of the park was reported on, in March, City Parks had cleaned the park twice.

Yet, litter fills the park faster than the entity can remove it, and more and more vagrants are moving in.

On investigation two weeks ago, a truck and bakkie with Eskom branding were found in the park opposite Vale Avenue, where a fence had been knocked down.

Veltchev explained that Eskom was laying a cable across the park, and had to knock the fence down so its truck could drive in.

One of the security guards on scene was asked about Eskom’s work in the park.

He said that he and the other guards were guarding a cable that is being installed, and struggled to keep warm at night.

They apparently took branches from the trees in the park and burned them to keep warm, because Eskom would not provide wood.

Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood explained that Eskom was installing a cable that ran across the park, and vagrancy was a major problem in the area.

“You can remove them [vagrants] but they will come back,” he said.

“We need a permanent solution. Maybe lots of [homeless] shelters.”

A media officer for Eskom, who did not wished to be named, said that Eskom would comment soon.

A City Parks official said that the entity will investigate Eskom’s work in the park and whether it adheres to “park encroachment and site camp erection restrictions”.

If Eskom does not adhere to these restrictions, a stop order notice will be given to cease construction.

Veltchev also accused Eskom of leaving piles of rubble in the centre of the park.

Details: City Parks 011 712 6600; Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood 082 853 2174.