- An unsightly cinderblock site screen at an Athlone cricket field have been demolished.
- Following the demolition, it has now become another battle to have the rubble removed.
- The City of Cape Town has scheduled the removal of the debris and rubble for Friday 17 November.
With the removal of the cinderblock site screen in Clover Crescent, it has now become another battle to have the rubble removed.
In September, People’s Post reported on residents concerns around a cricket site screen at the Clover Crescent Cricket pitch which had been an attraction for anti-social, criminal and unhygienic behaviour (“Unsightly screen”, 5 September).
While residents claimed the City of Cape Town had warned against them taking matters into their own hands to remove this cinderblock wall, permission was granted at a later date, confirms Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health.
At the time, Clover Crescent Street Committee chair Enver Solomons said these screens were not only a convenient hideaway for criminals targeting residents, prostitution, homelessness and drug use, but are also at risk of falling over. One of these three screens has already fallen over during a strong wind storm, while another was taken down in a few hours by a 68-year-old man armed with a sledge hammer. The City denied poor building claims.
“The Recreation and Parks Department confirmed the current walls had been standing for two years and do not present any safety concerns,” said Van der Ross at the time.
Several meetings have been held around the concerns of these screens.
“The Recreation and Parks Department gave permission to the resident to remove the wall. The decision was taken at a Facility Management meeting,” says Van der Ross.
Since receiving the permission to remove this wall at a meeting, it has now caused another problem.
“It was demolished on Saturday 16 September, and we have no problems since the wall has been removed, less criminal activity,” Solomons says.
The one concern is now the rubble, which still lies in a pile on the field.
“The only problem we have with the rubble is that kids play on it and it can hurt them. I have exhausted my channels at the City to have the rubble removed and I have reference numbers to prove this.”
While now two months later, Van der Ross confirms the removal has been scheduled.
“The Department has scheduled the removal of the debris and rubble for Friday 17 November,” she says.
