Confusion and frustration lingers in the community of Danville as residents question the new housing development that will cost them the only park in the area.
The recent announcement that houses would be built in Danville next year, shocked residents.
Most had no idea that the only park in their area andthe community swimming pool would make way for the development.
Residents not happy with the development raised their concerned to Rekord.
“We cannot allow the only park we have in the area to be taken away. Yes, the park has its own crime problems but our children still play in the park,” resident Marlie Venter said.
She said children used the swimming pool almost every day.
“Without these two, what will our children do now?” Venter asked.
Another resident, Lindiwe Mthate said for years the park and pool had been part of the community and the pool had actually kept the children away from the streets.
Residents have also raised crime concerns. They said the area was too big for the police to handle with the new low cost houses recently built there.
“We do have the CPF helping the police fight crime but it is not enough and with the new houses that will be built, we are going to get more residents in the area and that will cause more problems than what we have,” Mthate said.
A few of the workers at the Danville swimming pool were very concerned that they were now going to lose their jobs.
“This is our bread and butter, what is going to become of us if we lose our jobs? The municipality cannot allow this to happen. These kids would have nowhere to go to enjoy themselves,” said a worker who wished to remain anonymous.
A recent council meeting approved the construction of about 629 houses where the park and swimming pool currently are.
Ward councillor Danie Swanepoel said the Tshwane metro should make sure all income groups were catered for and that the people had easy access to schools and hospitals.
“We must encourage market-based solutions for housing in so-called ‘gap markets’ and for self-help initiatives. State resources should be freed up to service the poor and most vulnerable,” Swanepoel said.
Residents appealed to the metro to build a new park and public swimming pool.
Also read:
New houses for Danville’s park
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