Tennis club a breeding ground for criminal activities

Neighbourhood safety is often a main concern of residents and unfortunately, even the safest community is susceptible to crime.

With crime rates on the rise, Delarey residents are furious about the criminal activities the former Ridgeview Tennis Club facility situated on Mollie Road between 9th and 10th Streets seems to attract.

According to community spokesperson, Faiza Marks the court and clubhouse have been deserted for several years.

“A family of squatters occupied the building. Although they were illegal tenants, they agreed to help maintain the clubhouse and the courts. However, in August the residents were evicted so the erven can be developed by a private entity,” she said.

What was supposed to be a renovation opportunity for the entity quickly turned into a breeding ground for unlawful activities. The abandoned building and fences around the premises were completely stripped and severely vandalised in less than a month.

When walking through the now vacant plot – which also serves as a public park – one can expect to find empty liquor bottles, broken glass and women’s underwear among other things. The vandalised clubhouse is also filled with broken glass, (what appears to be) blood, human faeces and other rubbish.

“We are fed up as perpetrators use the clubhouse for sexual activities and to take and deal illegal substances. We, as the community, have taken it upon our self to guard the premises. We have men leaving their families at home to ward off any intruders,” Faiza said.

“We also take money out of our own pockets to try and maintain the tennis courts. We are doing everything in our power to prevent it from becoming another illegal squatter camp – but it’s proving to be an extremely difficult task. Not even to mention the tavern down the street which is also drawing more crime to the area. The tennis court just provides a hub for these criminals in which to hide and destroy.”

Although Faiza and other community members reported these matters to various department officials, it feels to them as though their pleas are falling on deaf ears.

According to Ward 86 Councillor, Chantelle Fourie-Shawe she approached the City as well as the person who was issued a permission letter for the erven by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

“The City assisted with the eviction of the former residents of the tennis courts so that the private entity can develop the facility. I also understand that the permission letter has been extend beyond its original cut off date of end of October 2022,” Chantelle said.

The permission letter granted the private entity permission to establish and manage a football academy, but only for the period from 1 November, 2021 until 31 October, 2022.

“The recent state of vandalism has put a halt to the development of the property. The letter also states – among other things – that the facility is to always be secured to prevent vandalism, theft and unauthorised use. As this is not currently the case, the community is standing together and taking a unified stand against the current criminal activities,” she said.

Chantelle will now a attend a meeting called by the community in hopes of defusing the matter. She also wishes to thank those who have put up their hands to assist with the matter.

“It’s the only way we can move forward as a community. I will also keep the community updated should new information become available, but the logical step forward is to secure the facility before it is completely stripped,” she concluded.