The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the formal response from Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, following our recent oversight visit to the derelict Schauderville swimming pool and the proposed relocation site on ERF 4244 in Gqeberha.
The oversight visit, which included national and provincial leaders, highlighted the urgent need to relocate the long-abandoned pool, which has become a hotspot for criminal activity, illegal dumping, and gang violence. The current site, stripped of infrastructure and abandoned since the COVID-19 lockdown, poses a direct threat to residents, particularly children.
For several years, we have been calling for the pool to either be upgraded or moved to a safer, more accessible location. We have fought for the upgrade to be included in the Metro’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), yet the ANC coalition government, together with the smaller parties, has refused to budget for and implement the project, which is why we have taken it to the national minister.
The open land across from the Mooredyke Sports Precinct was identified as a viable alternative, offering better community access and reduced safety risk. Following the oversight, a formal letter was sent to Minister Macpherson requesting clarity on the ownership, future use, and development timeline of ERF 4244 and asking for consideration to allocate a portion of the land for public recreational infrastructure.
The Minister has since acknowledged receipt of the request and recently confirmed that his office has confirmed that the provincial public works department owns the erf, and that the request has now been sent from the national minister’s office to the provincial public works department to be processed.
This is a welcome step forward. However, we remain concerned about delays historically undermining similar public projects in the Northern Areas. The DA will therefore monitor the process closely and actively engage with the relevant MECs and officials to ensure that this matter is expedited.
The residents of Schauderville and surrounding communities deserve access to safe, properly maintained recreational infrastructure. The relocation of the swimming pool is a critical step toward restoring dignity and opportunity in an area long neglected by government.