Walls and fences have been built throughout history for security reasons, tactical reasons and sometimes even political reasons.
But is building a structure around George Lea Park, with the aim of keeping displaced persons out of the area, humane?
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In a Sandton Chronicle article, Plans to Fence out Displaced Persons, Week ending 23 September, it was explained that ClearVu fencing is going to be erected around the park. The park has currently been stripped of its old fence and the new ClearVu fencing will be erected soon.
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Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams said, “The untenable situation at George Lea Park would not have been allowed to develop in a world-class city where bylaws are enforced. Now, change is underway. We can be grateful that the new administration is taking the matter seriously. As ward councillor, I am thankful for the attention shown to George Lea Park by the new member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development, Dr Mpho Phalatse.”
He stressed that, regrettably, there are no short-term solutions to the associated social problems, as people displaced from George Lea Park are already moving to parks and other vacant land in nearby open spaces. ”Fellow councillors from neighbouring wards receive regular complaints. I am on record in the Sandton Chronicle as favouring a humane solution. I am confident we shall deal with this firmly but humanely. Bylaws will be enforced and the rights of all will be upheld,” he explained.
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Nonhlakanipho Nedzamba, who is the spokesperson for the office of the MMC of Health and Social Development said, ”According to an assessment conducted by the Displaced Persons Unit in the City of Joburg, there are 200 people living in the park. There are no children, elderly or vulnerable persons living in the park, mostly active young men involved in economic activities mainly through recycling.”
In response to the building of a fence, Nedzamba said, ”Unfortunately, as social development, we are not in a position to comment on the removal of the fence. However, there is a scheduled meeting with the MMC’s counterparts in Community Development and Safety to discuss an integrated approach in dealing with this matter effectively.”
She stressed that there are shelters in the form of NGOs, which are in partnership with the City of Johannesburg. ”However, it depends on the displaced people, themselves, whether they wish to utilise this option, although most of them seem reluctant to do so,” she said.
