The Ferndale East Resident’s Forum hosted a general meeting on 9 February at the Ski Deck to discuss the pressing issue of the Ferndale Spruit and Ferndale Spruit Park.
Chairperson of the forum, Conrad Fick said that litter in the spruit is a very big problem. He added that people are living in the park illegally. Fick welcomed the key speaker, Jenny Moodley, spokesperson of the Johannesburg City Park and Zoo. Moodley explained that it is City Parks’ responsibility to cut the grass and check the spruit’s water quality. She highlighted that in order to remove people living in the park, they need to give more responsibility to private security companies.
Residents told Moodley that the people living in the park use the space to sort out plastic for recycling. The rubbish that cannot be recycled then ends up in the spruit. “We have to deal with the bigger problem, which is the illegal residents, but we do not have the resources,” said Moodley. A resident stood up and asked Moodley to put fencing around the spruit. “The bylaw states that we can do this if it adds conservation value,” explained Moodley.
Residents felt that private security companies have no real authority to deal with the homeless. A resident mentioned that they have asked those living in the park to move as it is not their property, but they became angry and chased the residents away. Apart from the rubble and vagrants, residents also mentioned a sewage leak in Cork Avenue.
“The biggest problem is the illegal campers. If we remove them, it will sort out other problems such as the litter,” said a meeting attendee.
Sergeant James Kekana from Randburg SAPS said that he would be held responsible if any residents have a problem regarding the spruit. He explained that the parks patrol department should be held accountable as they can chase illegal campers away. Constable Gerry Maluleka from Randburg SAPS said that he reports all the issues to the JMPD.
Mary Gillet-de Klerk from Johannesburg Organisation of Services to the Homeless (Josh) said that they want to implement a homeless shelter to accommodate the homeless, but residents felt that this would not work. Fick ended the meeting and said that people should trust that the JMPD and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo will work together to resolve the problem. Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood urged residents to be patient.
Details: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, 011 712 6600.
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