With residents reporting crime incidents ranging from assault to being held at gunpoint, it is no secret that Golden Harvest Park is one of the most dangerous parks in town.
Ward 101 councillor Dalu Cele confirmed that residents no longer feel safe at the park and that City Parks is not doing enough to ensure visitors’ safety. Cele said high levels of crime are experienced in the park every week.
“We are concerned about the inability of City Parks to ensure that the residents are safe when they are at Golden Harvest Park. The issue of security has been raised a number of times with officials at City Parks and nothing has been done about keeping our park safe,” Cele said.
Jenny Moodley, spokesperson for City Parks, however, said they have a shared responsibility for the safety and maintenance of the park with the Joburg Property Company (JPC), which leases out units in the park. These units are houses found in different areas of the park. “There are reports of an internal threat coming from the units being leased,” she alleged.
Moodley confirmed that park rangers and Metro police randomly patrol the park. She said City Parks also has a partnership with security companies to ensure the safety of visitors. The spokesperson also said that although City Parks is not aware of any arrests made so far, visitors to the park should ‘exercise necessary caution’.
JPC is in the process of giving comment. An update will follow as soon as it is received.
Metro police’s spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar said Metro police officers do routine checks, but residents can request them to intensify their operations by contacting the director of bylaw management at mathokozak@joburg.org.za.
The MMC for Community Development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba, recently said the security of the City’s parks is an issue she plans to focus on. “We need to be tough on bylaw enforcement. The parks are meant for family and friends,” Sifumba said.
Councillor Cele plans on raising this issue in council to ensure that parks are safe environments for residents and their families.
Captain Balan Muthan, spokesperson for Honeydew Police Station said police officers have scheduled meetings with the public, informed private security companies and increased their patrols in and around Golden Harvest Park. The park is still frequented by visitors who actively warn each other to remain vigilant on platforms such as the Friends of Golden Harvest Facebook page.
Upon visiting the park, Randburg Sun was advised by a park maintenance worker to rather not walk alone because ‘it is not safe’.
Details: Metro police’s emergency call centre 011 375 5911.
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