A 31-year-old Recreation and Parks employee was brutally attacked while patrolling the Manenberg Swimming pool on Wednesday afternoon, and the City may close the public facility.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Zahid Badroodien, said that the Manenberg facility officer was patrolling the perimeter when he discovered that part of the palisade fencing had been vandalised. During his inspection he spotted a group of boys attempting to enter the property through the opening.
Badroodien explained that one of the assailants used a brick to attack the city officer.
“When attempting to close the opening, while on the telephone to summon Law Enforcement, one of the boys hurled a brick at the staff member that hit him in the face,” he said.
The officer was left disorientated and bleeding profusely after the attack. He was then transported to hospital for treatment.
Members of the public with any information on the incident are encouraged to come forward and report it to the nearest police station.
“The City condemns this incident in the strongest terms. It is completely unacceptable and I call on anyone in the community who might have any information about this incident to please report it to the police,” Badroodien said.
The officer will receive extensive support from the City’s Employee Assistance Program.
Reports state that this is the second incident of crime to occur at the pool facility within seven days.
“Last week, three vehicles belonging to a contractor who was working at the swimming pool were stoned too.”
It is undetermined if the public facility will be closed.
“The Law Enforcement Department has advised that the swimming pool be closed as it is not safe. The Recreation and Parks Department will make a final determination in this regard soon,” Badroodien said. “This is a most unfortunate development, considering the fact that we have been able to extend the operating times of 13 outdoor swimming pools that were open to the public this summer.”
Initially, the public pools were scheduled to close at the end of January but due to water saving measures complying with level three restrictions and additional funding, these public facilities will be opened for longer.
Several public pools will remain open until April 22 2019, including Atlantis, Langa, Khayelitsha, Mnandi, Bellville South, Bonteheuwel, Goodwood, Vulindlela, Emthonjeni, Hanover Park, Manenberg, Muizenberg and Eastridge.
These facilities will be open during the following days and times:
– Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 1pm – 5pm
– Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 5pm
The City’s indoor pools in Blue Downs, Retreat, Strand, Long Street and Sea Point will remain open to the public daily.
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