Montclair Park becomes a safety hazard

THE notice board on Montclair Park put up by the parks, leisure and cemeteries department has a set of bylaws meant to be observed by those using the park and its facilities.

The sign, now dilapidated, but still readable, includes the prohibition of vehicles, loud music, drinking in a public place and dumping and adds that offenders will be prosecuted.

However, this is not the case with Montclair Park, as it seems nobody adheres to the rules and added to the park’s poor conditions is a taxi rank and vagrants who sleep and loiter about.

Concerned resident, Deon le Roux, has tirelessly reached out to the municipality to no fruition. He said that as a taxpayer, he is disheartened by the lack of response by city officials as Montclair Park is no longer a safe place.

“I pass this park daily and at night time, nothing has changed. If these officials indicate that they have frequented the park, then their efforts have come to zero. I recall when Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda was appointed, one of his opening speeches was that he will ensure that all bylaws will be enforced. Shame on you sir,” said Le Roux.

He added that a berm was previously placed around the entire park to prevent entry.

“However, with the passage of time, gaps are everywhere which allow access. I have witnessed loitering in the park, drinking of alcohol, partying day and night, taxis and other vehicles parking in the park, inappropriate behaviour in vehicles and repairing of vehicles in the park,” he said.

Le Roux’s other observations at the park include the sale of drugs, illegal dumping, littering, motorbike riding, and urination. His countless emails to municipal officials continue to fall on deaf ears as nothing comes from it.

“Although you might have spoken with the Montclair SAPS, they are definitely not addressing those having parties in the park or randomly drinking. You should arrange a meeting with all relevant stakeholders to find a solution. Notwithstanding the fact that your law enforcement officer covers different parks, he also is not performing his task satisfactorily. It is not a difficult task to replace the berms that have been removed at some places around the entire park, this will prevent illegal entry of vehicles, your department has the ability to rectify this. Please advise what your plan of action is in writing,” reads one of his emails sent and copied to an array of city officials,” he said.

In a response to the SUN, eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, described the area as a “once beautiful park” which he passed on his way to work.

“I think we have let down residents in close proximity to it because it is now a shadow of its former glory, more especially on weekends. May I request that we not make our parks accessible to vehicles because this is not the only one where people enter and park their vehicles and drink,” Mayisela said.

“We also need to do something about churches that have taken over our parks. They park their vehicles right in the park, but they are not allowed to do so. Following the worshiping in parks, residents are no longer enjoying themselves. This is going to be more negative publicity that we are well resourced to prevent. I also don’t think we need to be made by the media to react instead of being proactive because we are fully aware of these incidents and choose not to do anything. I am therefore appealling that we prioritise these as it seriously makes our work difficult as communicators having to source responses with regard to such basic responsibilities that we are failing to discharge to the benefit of our ratepayers,” he said.

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