Defecation, prostitution, alcoholism, drugs, gang tags and crime.
These are some of the negative associations with a site screen on an Athlone cricket field located in Clover Crescent, Silvertown.
For residents who have been living here for more than 40 years, these cinderblock walls “haphazardly” built a number of years ago have become a cause of concern around safety.
Clover Crescent Street Committee chair Enver Solomons said these are 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 windstorm, while another was taken down in a few hours by a 68-year-old man armed with a sledgehammer.
“We were warned that if we took this wall down there would be consequences,” said Solomons.
“I have been living here for 49 years. Everything that happens here must go through the city. The wall was thrown down by a neighbour because of illicit behaviour – prostitution during load shedding, drug use, homelessness. One night we had to stop guys from tagging the wall. Children are playing on top of it. What is going to happen if they get hurt?”
Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and health, denied the poor build claims.
Specifically asked if the wall meets building codes, whether it is safe or at risk of toppling like the other screen, she said: “The Recreation and Parks Department confirmed the current walls had been standing for two years and do not present any safety concerns.
“The Cricket Club intended having a meeting with the surrounding community to discuss this (possible removal) and possible alternatives before a decision could be made.”
People’s Post contacted the Municipal Facilities Management Committee (MFMC) for comment, who referred all communication back to the city. Despite advising that the city had already been approached for comment, they still did not wish to comment.
Fellow resident Washielah Adams said the problems keep mounting.
In minutes of a recent meeting in possession of People’s Post it is explicitly stated that the field was unsuitable for play.
This followed two sinkholes that had developed on the field as a result of a bulk sewer running through it.
Ward 49 councillor Rashid Adams confirmed the field would be rehabilitated, adding that ward allocation funding would not be used for the upgrade of this field.
“The funding will come directly from the recreation and parks department. It is on their budget to do a full upgrade,” he pointed out. “The field will be upgraded and levelled out, and brought up to standard so that the primary sport that is meant to be played there, cricket, will be safe to play and ready for use,” says councillor Adams.
“Unfortunately, we also recommended that the field not be used at this time, because after the rehabilitation there will also be an assessment to ensure it is fully safe to play on there.”
Solomons confirmed no practice or play was currently happening.
“Clover Crescent is being side-lined as a whole. This is used for cricket. For the last three years there has not been any cricket played here. First it was the drought, then Covid and then the two sinkholes.
“About a few weeks ago, there was a big game at the Athlone Stadium and people were directed to park on this field. There were around 500 cars here, with one entrance and exit. I feel we, as the street committee, should have been addressed.” Washielah said on that Sunday the fans were drinking openly on the field, urinating in the open, horrific behaviour.
Solomons says he raised these concerns with authorities. He told People’s Post he had been assured no parking would take place here in future.
Again, contrary to Van der Ross’ comments.
Specifically asked if residents were engaged, or if this was safe practice and allowed, she said: “A meeting was held with Athlone Stadium officials as well as Law Enforcement on Wednesday 23 August and decisions were made (that will be) standard for all future events when overflow parking is requested for Clover Crescent on match day,” she says.
These conditions resolve to:
- Have 10 security guards allocated to the area to see to parking and roaming.
- Law Enforcement will be based at the field.
- No parking on the verges will be allowed.
- All prohibitive signage will be visible – eg no drinking, residents only.
- Event organisers would be hiring public toilets.
- A cleaning team will be allocated to clean up the day after the event.
- Temporary fencing will be put around the cricket field.
- Fire extinguishers will be available at the field.
Washielah said the wall was not the only problem.
“There are also broken poles that can hurt people and overgrown trees growing over the lights. Also, robberies on the field, especially of schoolchildren. This wall is built by people who do not live here. We are ratepayers, whether of an indigent area or not; we pay.”
These issues will be addressed in the coming weeks, according to Van der Ross.
“The department appointed a service provider who mows the sports field twice a month and to see to the cricket pitch maintenance for the rest of the financial year. It will also trim the trees at the facility by the end of October (this year).
“The lighting is being addressed with the new electrical tender and we are awaiting a quotation.”
Pamela Swanepoel, who has lived in this area her whole life, said children play on the field but people doing as they please behind the wall, out of sight, is a concern.
“They do everything behind this wall. They would break into the houses then run behind the wall. We would not be able to see them.”
“The department is not aware of gang tagging,” Van der Ross said. “Criminal activities can be reported to the City’s Law Enforcement by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.”
Both councillor Adams and Van der Ross confirmed the field was not available for play.
“The field is not available for play or the booking of events yet as the field has many subsidence and little holes.
The department was currently in the process of rehabilitating the field so sport could be played at the facility again,” says Van der Ross. Illegal play and gambling are also concerns for residents.
Councillor Adams said this facility was earmarked only for cricket.
“If there are any other sporting codes being played there then this is done outside the permissions granted by the City of Cape Town,” he said.
“We have had reports of certain individuals reporting playing there, softball practices and soccer on a Sunday, sports that have not been authorised by the City. I do hope by the time the season starts will be up and running and ready to play.”
He confirmed a proposal had been made to residents before to have the field fenced.
“The field can be maintained if the area was not used as a thoroughfare. Because it is open and not fenced off the general public has direct access and walk across the field which also damages the condition of the field.
“I am recommending we do put a fence up, because if it is fenced it will safeguard the field from intrusion, illegal play, but when we get to that point, we will host a public participation and encourage the community to consider closing this.”
The residents confirm they had declined the City’s plan to erect fencing.
“Our children play here,” said Solomons. “It cannot be another white elephant,” said Swanepoel.
Their immediate request is the removal of this wall and the maintenance of the safety concerns around the field.
“Cricket requires a sight screen behind the bowler so the batsman can see the red ball behind a white backdrop,” Van der Ross explained.
Evident tagging, the removal of one of these screens and the problems they are bringing to the residents – especially while no play is permitted – outweighs these benefits, the residents argue.
