Pieter Roos Park in Parktown deemed unsightly and unattractive

About a year later, it appears steps are finally being taken to address complaints about the unsightly state of Pieter Roos Park on Empire Road in Parktown.

Concerns regarding the state of the park were raised by Parklane Village Body Corporate chairman, Alie Areington and other stakeholders in November last year and it seems nothing had been done about it until now.

In an email to Joburg City Parks and Zoo on October 20, Areington reminded the entity that it has been almost a year since a first email had been sent, with no feedback received.

“Adding to our grievances it must be noted that we now have one to two thousand people gathering every Sunday. The park is left in a filthy state and no one seems to bother.

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“We also have feedback from estate agents confirming that individuals no longer wish to purchase properties in our complex because of the activities taking place in the park. Lately we have noticed that [displaced people] are now burning fires within the park.”

In the original email last year, the chairperson and other stakeholders had raised concerns about illegal squatting with makeshift houses being built between trees, on the roadside as well as along the inside of the water canal that runs across the park.

Litter and garbage were reported to be strewn across the area as well as dangerous open fires burning in the night time.

The chairperson also added that the park is a block away from the Constitutional Court precinct, a national heritage site and major tourist destination.

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In response on October 24, City Parks media relations assistant Noeleen Mattera said the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) had been to the park on October 23 where approximately 40 persons were removed from the park as no permission for the gathering had been granted.

She added that she awaited feedback from the regional manager as well.

JMPD spokesperson Officer Xolani Fihla confirmed that JMPD officers from the By-Laws Management Unit attended a complaint of an illegal church gathering at the park.

“Upon arrival approximately 40 church people were found gathered at the park conducting a stokvel. They were instructed to move from the park because no permission was granted for them to gather there.

“There’s nothing for anyone to utilise the park, but if you want to hold a gathering, permission from City Parks need to be granted first.

It’s not the first time that officers have attended to such a complaint regarding the same people at the same park, and they’ll continue to monitor the park for any further gatherings,” concluded Fihla.

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