Illegal partying leaves trash in Athlone Park
The Athlone Park Shopping Centre's parking area has become a hotspot for illegal activities outside of business hours.
PROPERTY owners and shopkeepers around Van Set Centre, popularly known as Athlone Park Shopping Centre, are at their wit’s end as ongoing lawlessness in the evenings on Linscott Road is negatively affecting their businesses.
Also read: Residents clean up after uncouth revellers in Athlone Park
The SUN has a letter dated July 8, written by shop owners and residents detailing the disturbance that occurred. While the letter has 12 signatures, its authors asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation. It says on Friday and Saturday evenings, some people use the centre’s parking lot to engage in heavy drinking, which leads to disturbances that include public urination.
“On Monday mornings, the businesses cannot open due to broken bottles and used condoms lying around, and empty packets of drugs on the grass. We must clean up the mess every Monday morning before opening,” the letter states.
The authors feel if the disturbance continues, it will harm the value of their properties. The letter was given to the area’s community police forum (CPF), but the business owners said this has not stopped the partying.
“The metro police have driven by a couple of times, but the CPF told us that it cannot get involved because it’s private property. We were told metro police also only enforce by-laws in public spaces, not on privately owned properties,” said the shop owner.
When contacted, Athlone Park CPF’s chairperson Rishane Rajkoomar acknowledged knowing about the matter.
“As the CPF, we are just civilians, and we conduct patrols of our neighbourhood. We do not enforce by-laws as that is done by metro police,” said Rajkoomar.
eThekwini’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said that shopping centres are privately owned properties, and the onus is on the owner to hire security services to secure their property like all other shopping malls.
“Metro police only attend when the security officers on duty at the shopping centre call for backup or request support for law enforcement. In the case where there is loud music and drinking in the area, and the matter is reported to metro police, then they can intervene and respond accordingly,” said Sisilana.
She encouraged members of the public to contact metro police on 031 361 0000 or SAPS on 10111 to report such disturbances.
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