Residents of Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain are gatvol of kids damaging their parkie that was upgraded in December at a cost of R250 000.
Community activist Tina McDonald, 63, is the caretaker of the park based in Hengelaar Street and says she tries her best to keep her hand on the park since it was built in February 2019.
But since it received an upgrade with benches and tables in December, Tina says she has had her hands full with naughty children.
A week ago, children burnt the new benches in the park, which was used by the community and three educares in the area.
“The upgrade cost R250 000. How can we ask for a park and place of safety for children, when the same children are breaking it down? Parents in this community need to step up and assist me in keeping our park free of criminal activity,” she says.
“The community complains that they want resources but nobody wants to help sustain it.”
Tina holds the keys to two gates at the park and says she has decided to keep it locked.
“If the City can employ someone to work here permanently to oversee the park and keep it clean, then I don't think we will have such incidents of vandalism.”
She has also approached her ward councillor Michael Pietersen and other officials to step in.
“Anyone I see in the park now, I will call the police to arrest them because I am gatvol.
“I might be 63, but I’m fast and I will do what I can to protect my community.”
The City of Cape Town yesterday requested more time to formulate a response.