This story was updated to reflect a response from the City.
It has been four months, and the plight of Bonteheuwel residents, related to criminal activities at local tennis courts, persists.
This has resulted in the club being unable to host other tennis clubs for games despite it being league season.
The Bonteheuwel Tennis Club said it was looking for a permanent solution to securing the tennis courts to prevent unwanted access and has been calling for a resurface and new fence for the past three years.
In May, the Cape Times reported how tennis club members feared for their lives as they said gangsters were taking over the space. At the time the City said there were plans to replace the fencing and to resurface one of the courts in the new financial year.
The closure of a problematic building and repairs to the gates would also be finalised.
However while the club said one of the problematic buildings on the premises was bricked up, another remained, with no new fencing, and it was still a haven for criminals who frequented the tennis court and used drugs in what used to be their clubhouse.
Club member Donovan Williams said: “There are drug addicts and gangsters squatting in a public building that is being funded by us taxpayers, and nothing is being done to get them off the premises, which stinks and is dirty, with drug needles in the open. That is a health and safety issue, but nothing is being done besides empty promises about quotes for fencing and other promises for three years now.”
The club’s chairperson, André van Tura, added: “The 3x3 hokkie structure in Lepelhout Street we have also asked to be bricked up and for decent gates to stop access. Gangsters sit in that small hokkie and use drugs before they do a shoot-out. Once it is bricked up, they can’t come in there to hide away, then the City can focus on the fencing and resurfacing. Once we eliminate criminals/gangsters from our facility, we can work on a way forward to repair what is currently broken.”
Bonteheuwel CPF sector chairperson Mike Seale said the area was a hot spot for crime.
“There is a lot of vandalism taking place, especially with load shedding. It is near where the body was found of a young girl about a month ago. We need regular patrols around there,” he said.
Mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health, Patricia van der Ross said they were aware of the constant vandalism at the Bonteheuwel Tennis Courts.
"The courts are cleaned and maintained according to the City’s standard maintenance schedule. To alleviate vandalism, the City has maintained access control where possible with perimeter fencing. However, it was vandalised again and the clubhouse has been closed to prevent vandals from accessing. The Department is now in the process of repairing the fence. The anticipated completion date is mid November 2023.
"Additionally, the dugout for the players is currently being built up with bricks and is anticipated to be completed by Friday, 6 October 2023.
"While plans are in place to bring the facility back to operational state, the City calls on community involvement to assist in protecting recreational facilities as valuable community assets. The City calls on residents to put forward any ideas on how to effect a change in behaviour from within the community," Van der Ross said.
Residents can report incidents of vandalism and theft by calling 107 from a landline or (021) 480 7700. Alternatively, emails can be sent to the Recreation and Parks Department directly at [email protected].
Cape Times