Most City of Joburg parks are highly utilised over the festive season, but many are plagued by illegal braaing, alcohol consumption, loud music and littering. Picture: Pexels Most City of Joburg parks are highly utilised over the festive season, but many are plagued by illegal braaing, alcohol consumption, loud music and littering. Picture: Pexels
Most City of Joburg parks are highly utilised over the festive season, but many are plagued by illegal braaing, alcohol consumption, loud music and littering.
This was said by MMC for community development Nonhlanhla Sifumba, who visited some of the parks over the weekend to help educate people.
"But with over 2170 facilities, Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is unable to cope with people who disregard the city's open-space by-laws.
“The aim of the ongoing partnership with the Joburg metro police on the eve of the holidays is to educate residents visiting the parks and to clamp down on transgressors,” Sifumba said.
The JCPZ will be operational over the festive season with an essential staff complement. Contractors will be undertaking proactive horticultural maintenance. Rangers and metro police will randomly patrol flagship parks.
Residents may also call 011 712 6600 to register their requests for services.
* Residents can follow the link to the city's park and open-space by-laws:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOCEEM5bn1IX2i55aBTyKJJ64o25X-sA/view?usp=sharing
Some of examples of by-laws include:
No person may, within a public open space:
Act in a manner which is dangerous to life or property
Contravene the provisions of any notice within any public open space
Cause a nuisance, or
Behave in an indecent or offensive manner.
People are also not allowed to bathe, wade or swim in or wash him- or herself, an animal or any object, including clothing, in any water body. They may also not light or otherwise start a fire except in a facility provided by the council for that purpose. They are also not allowed to camp in parks or consume any alcoholic beverages.
Sound equipment, including a radio, portable hi-fi or car stereos, are also not allowed.