Obey park safety by-laws this Heritage Day

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is calling on all residents to play by the rules when visiting the City’s parks this Heritage Day.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development in the City of Joburg, councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba, appealed to residents to refrain from lighting fires in non-designated spaces in parks; disposing of charcoal on the lawns or against trees; consuming alcohol; playing loud music or littering in the parks.

Sifumba said, “The Heritage Day weekend sees hundreds of people converge in parks to host braais with family, friends, relatives, and other loved ones. It is wonderful to see families and friends enjoying the City’s public open spaces, but the high number of complaints regarding litter, illegal fires and drinking alcoholic beverages in parks is worrying.”

While JCPZ will have its litter-picking services in place throughout the long weekend, residents have a responsibility to ensure that these and other facilities are properly utilised and protected, to ensure the enjoyment of all the residents, and to safeguard the City’s heritage.

“Residents are urged to obey all park safety by-laws and to report transgressions to the Joburg Emergency Call Centre on 011 375-5911,” said Sifumba.

The Joburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) will be patrolling parks together with park rangers and will confiscate alcohol illegally consumed in the City’s parks.

“Park Safety by-laws are in place for the protection of all residents and visitors, as well as to ensure that all enjoy a pleasant and memorable experience on Heritage Day. This is one of the days where we can come together as South Africans from different cultural backgrounds to celebrate our diversity. This shouldn’t be marred by people who have little or no respect for the rule of law”, stated MMC Sifumba.

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