The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Lephalale Municipality calls on the municipality to collaborate with civil society and businesses to save and restore our public parks. Once pristine, these parks and open spaces are now being degraded to crisis levels by illegal dumping, vandalism, theft, and crime.
We urge the municipality to:
- Increase surveillance and security measures in our parks;
- Provide additional resources for park maintenance and cleaning; and
- Support community-led initiatives to promote park adoption and stewardship.
Our parks and open spaces are meant to form an essential part of our community’s recreational and environmental fabric. Yet years of neglect and indifferent governance have decimated these valuable assets:
- Trash and debris are being discarded in our parks, posing serious health and environmental risks.
- Park equipment, benches, and other infrastructure are being deliberately damaged or stolen, rendering them unusable.
As a result, our parks have become barren and uninviting, creating opportunities for illicit and unsavoury activities.
This crisis is not only an eyesore but also a threat to public safety, community well-being, and local economic development. The neglect of our parks deters potential investors, hinders job creation, and undermines the appeal of our town.
To address this decline, the municipality must work with civil society and the private sector to revitalise these important spaces. By working together, we can return our parks to their former glory, creating vibrant, safe, and welcoming spaces for all members of our community