The Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency described the Court Crescent project, named the Leighandre ‘Baby Lee’ Jegels Recreational Park as “a family-friendly multi-use space, incorporating an information centre, hawker stalls, upgraded ablutions, refurbished existing structures, children’s play areas, local public art installations and outdoor gyms”.
On paper, it sounds an ideal space for families to enjoy when they visit the East London beachfront. In reality it has been the subject of public outcry and bad publicity since it opened in November 2023. Drunken teenagers invaded the park a month after it opened, openly consuming alcohol. The Dispatch saw two private security guards, who did not stop the drinking.
The park has also been the target of vandals and thieves ripping out lamp posts and cables, while a lack of funding for toilet paper and cleaning supplies led to a five-month shutdown of the public toilets. In the latest in a series of unfortunate events, the local ward councillor and residents group have complained about vagrants that have taken up the abandoned hawker stalls.
This park is meant to be a safe space for families to enjoy and support local traders. We cannot allow it to become a R100m white elephant
These stalls have remained locked and unused since the park was opened almost two years ago. Seizing the opportunity, it is alleged that vagrants have since broken locks and have sought shelter inside. The residents group says they have tried to remove them, but they always return. Security, they said, have not been helpful.
When the Dispatch approached the Buffalo City metro about the claim that their hawker stalls had reportedly been taken over by vagrants, the metro said it wasn’t even aware. “It was never bought to our attention,” they said in response to questions. We have heard that line before when the mayor was cornered over the dysfunctional Cambridge crematorium last year.
How is it possible that the ward councillor and the local community have raised frustration regarding the problem, and these concerns have not reached the ears of officials? More importantly, why are the hawker stalls still locked up and unused when there are people desperately looking for space to sell their wares?
The recreational park is the subject of an internal investigation after opposition parties have asked questions of the escalating costs of the development. The project was reportedly initially budgeted at R50m, but had escalated to more than double the amount.
The city’s leadership cannot turn a blind eye to all the controversy surrounding the development. It is important they acknowledge the problems and take immediate action to address it. This park is meant to be a safe space for families to enjoy and support local traders. We cannot allow it to become a R100m white elephant.
Daily Dispatch
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