Residents outcry over social ills outside Northdale Stadium
The area outside the historic Northdale Stadium, which holds great memories for soccer fans and residents of the area, is quickly becoming a haven for illegal activities.
Residents who live in close proximity to the now neglected stadium, have complained about the desecration of the area, citing the accumulation of dirt and litter, the washing of taxis, truanting, deviant and immoral sexual behaviour by both learners and taxi drivers, among the many problems that they are faced with.
Taxi drivers, who transport learners from out of town to schools in the northern areas, use the road alongside the stadium and the parking lot to wait for the learners until the end of the school day.
However, many learners bunk school and hang out with the taxi drivers. They pass their time smoking, drinking alcohol and in some cases, consuming drugs with them. They also engage in sexual activities in broad daylight and in full view of the public.
Another problem experienced by residents is the washing of the taxis using water from the stadium.
When Public Eye visited the area, it was congested with taxis making it difficult to drive through. A man was also seen urinating into the small stream that flows alongside the road.
Residents of the area who have complained about the shenanigans taking place in the area say that the taxi drivers are responsible for the lives of the learners and they should set a good example for them.
Shireen Govender said that learners who bunk school engage in sexual acts.
“I have chased learners away from across my house many times. They come and kiss in school uniform and in broad daylight. They engage in sexual acts as well. It’s just so appalling to see what has become of our area,” said Govender.
Govender added that the litter and unmaintained Northdale Stadium is slowly devaluing their properties.
“The taxis have now added to the problem by almost closing off the road during the day and showing a total disregard for the people who have lived on this road for years,” said Govender.
Nathara Naidoo said that she is aware of the people who dump their dirt and the taxis who wait in Kanai Road.
“I don’t earn a lot of money but I pay vagrants to pick up litter in the area,” Naidoo said.
Spokesperson for the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Kwazulu-natal, Sifiso Shangase, said that the Northdale stadium is a good spot for the taxis to park during the day.
Shangase admitted that some of the taxi drivers drink alcohol with learners and it is wrong to leave the space dirty and filthy. He added that the community has a right to complain.
“We collectively need to meet and then chart a progressive way forward,” said Shangase.
Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson, Ntobeko Mkhize, said that there are sites for taxi ranks which the Northdale Taxi Association is aware of and that Northdale Stadium is not one of them.
“We will have to investigate and attend to the matter as there are bylaws in place that should be complied with in relation to public places,” Mkhize said.
Ward 31 councillor Rooksana Ahmed of the DA, said that these are issues which should be addressed by Santaco, the Department of Education, the Department of Transport and the Msunduzi Municipality.
“It's a very sensitive issue. We have over the years requested that the Msunduzi Municipality get involved and establish a place where these taxis can park,” said Ahmed.
Ahmed said that meetings were held with Santaco and the municipality to assist as complaints are received on a weekly basis from residents.
President of the Northern Areas Soccer Stream (Nass), Sunny Naidoo, said that he is aware of the taxis who park on the road outside the Northdale Stadium.
“The problem is learners who are bunking school and using the stadium's toilets to change into casual clothing and spend the rest of the day loitering. This is not the responsibility of the drivers. The problem here is that taxi drivers don't have a space to park right now,” said Naidoo.