After two years of no access to the public swimming pool in Langa, frustrated residents took matters into their own hands last week by breaking into the facility for a swim.
Also read: NSRI urges beachgoers to swim only in lifeguard-designated areas
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
Patricia van der Ross, the mayoral committee member for community services and health, said that residents and children displayed ‘impatience’, resulting in ‘some unruly behaviour’, as reported by News24.
Authorities had to instruct residents to leave the facility on the grounds of trespassing, and more importantly, the risk of potential drowning as there were no lifeguards at the swimming pool.
Van der Ross clarified that the decision to close the pool was driven by the need to address the facility’s water quality, which currently falls below the required standards. The reason for the temporary closure was to conduct maintenance of the filtration pumps, which are essential for ensuring proper water circulation.
She explained that the accumulation of debris on the pool floor due to weak suctioning on the vacuum line posed a challenge in its removal, adding that the scheduled servicing and repairs for the filtration and suctioning pumps are planned for the upcoming week to rectify the situation.
‘Simultaneously, ongoing repairs to the chlorinator are underway to enable the proper dosing of chlorine into the pool.
‘Regrettably, due to these essential ongoing maintenance activities, the pool has not been treated with disinfectant, which is essential to maintain water quality and ensure the safety of swimmers,’ Van der Ross added.
According to the City of Cape Town, the public swimming pool in Langa has been inaccessible for two years due to the intricate nature of the required repairs.
Van der Ross mentioned that notices were posted at the entrance, notifying the public of the closure.
According to Van der Ross, no additional security officials were dispatched to the pool, but frequent patrols were conducted by law enforcement, metro police, and regular police. She urged residents to utilise other public pools in Athlone, Bonteheuwel, Trafalgar, and Newlands during the closure.
Alfred Magwaca, the chairperson of the community policing forum, cautioned residents that the pool was not yet ready for reopening.
Acknowledging the frustration caused by the prolonged closure, Magwaca condemned the unauthorised entry, emphasising that breaking in to swim was unnecessary. He acknowledged the extreme heat and residents’ desire to cool off but stressed the potential risks of unsupervised swimming.
Magwaca revealed that over 50 people invaded the facility during the incident, expressing gratitude that no injuries or drownings occurred.
While the city announced the pool’s scheduled reopening on 31 January, Magwaca advised parents to caution their children against entering the closed pool until official clearance is granted for reopening.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Also read:
Picture: Google Maps