​​​The protracted dispute over the future of the Old Parkhurst Bowling Club — a facility under the stewardship of the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) — appears to be reachingresolution following an intensive three-day operation aimed at reclaiming and rehabilitating the premises.

Spanning nearly twenty years, the site has been occupied by displaced persons, raising alarm among local residents due to escalating crime rates and persistent by-law infringements. The property has been the focal point of continuous complaints from the Parkhurst community, conveyed through Ward Councillor Cllr Tim Truluck and the Citizen Relationship and Urban Management Department (CRUM).

A critical breakthrough occurred on Thursday, 8 February 2024, with JPC awarding the development contract to GenZenix Pty Ltd via a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. In response, a collaborative task force, featuring JPC, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Parkview and Linden members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Environmental Health, Pikitup, and Emergency Management Services (EMS), was convened. This forum, led by the CRUM Department, is advancing a unified solution, paving the way for GenZenix Pty Ltd to assume control and begin site development.

A preliminary operation this week, spearheaded by JMPD’s By-Law Management Unit (BMU), allowed the displaced occupants to retrieve personal belongings before contractors dismantled illegal structures on erf 247 of Farm Braamfontein 53 IR. Ten trucks were mobilised to transport debris to an authorised landfill, laying the groundwork for a more extensive, coordinated effort.

The secondary and third operation was comprehensive and was directed by CRUM alongside numerous entities such as the JPC, JMPD, contractors, Parkview and Linden SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, GenZenix Pty Ltd, and private security firms. The mission was to address myriad concerns within a concentrated area.

Contractors prioritised the removal of remaining makeshift structures, while CRUM’s Augmented Field Services Unit and Pikitup managed debris clearance. SAPS intensified their presence, conducting searches for illicit substances and unauthorised firearms while safeguarding workers on-site. The Department of Home Affairs verified the legal status of the occupants, as JMPD and security companies bolstered on-site protection.

Post-operation, the developer fortified the premises by erecting fencing, refurbishing the palisade barrier, and installing “No Trespassing” signage. Private security was enlisted to monitor the property, bolstering the area’s defences.

To sustain safety, SAPS and JMPD, in collaboration with private security, have initiated a vigilant monitoring strategy. This ongoing effort incorporates frequent patrols and a responsive action plan to deter unauthorised entry.

Regional Director Sello Lemao says this week’s three-day operation marks a pivotal achievement for the Region.

“The partnership between municipal bodies, law enforcement, and private resources marks a significant stride in transforming the Old Parkhurst Bowling Club into a sanctuary for community welfare and security,” adds Lemao.

Chairperson of the Parkhurst Resident’s Business Owners Association (PRABOA), Mike Rosholt, expressed enthusiasm about recent developments: “As PRABOA, we are delighted by the City’s robust intervention at the Old Parkhurst Bowling Club after fifteen years of decline. Witnessing such coordinated action to secure and sanitise the site before redevelopment is heartening. Our appreciation goes to everyone involved; it’s been a productive collaboration.”

Working in tandem, the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and the Department of Human Settlement are diligently exploring strategies for enduring solutions to challenges surrounding the site’s reformation.

Lemao says the City of Johannesburg and its partners are committed to devising sustainable resolutions for the main bowling club structure on erf 246 of Farm Braamfontein 53 IR and its occupants.

Written by Moipone Malaka
01/11/2024

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