Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Diphapang Mofokeng and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Anelia Smit. See attached pictures here, here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will formally raise the collapse of the Reitz municipal swimming pool at the next ordinary Nketoana Local Municipality council meeting and push for urgent remedial action to restore this facility for safe community use.
This follows an oversight visit, which revealed severe neglect and extensive vandalism at the pool.
Upon arrival, we were deeply shocked by the total decay and deplorable condition of the pool and its facilities. Windows and ceilings were broken or missing, sinks had been stolen, and there were no working taps, showers, or toilets.
The pool was half full of grass-green water, with a piece of a JoJo tank floating in it. Benches on the lawn were damaged or missing, and the grass was overgrown and neglected. In the pump room, all filter steel covers had been stolen, and the electric motor was gone.
The pool has traditionally been a major attraction for recreation, swim galas, and swimming schools where children could receive training. The current state is therefore particularly distressing, as the community’s youth cannot access this valuable facility.
Inquiries with Nketoana Local Municipality, the pool’s owners, indicate that repair work is planned.
However, there is currently no qualified lifeguard available to operate the pool. Refilling or replacing the water will also place additional pressure on the already limited water supply to the community.
We are now in the middle of the swimming season and school holidays, and the upcoming festive season would have been the ideal time to use the pool.
The facility could also have generated additional revenue for Nketoana Municipality, which is already under significant financial pressure. The mentioned councillors intend to raise the condition of the pool at the next ordinary council meeting and request the necessary action.