CITY OF JOBURG TO SELL GREEN AREAS

Johannesburg residents are up in arms over the city’s beloved green areas that could go up for sale.

eNCA reports that a report regarding public participation and possible sale of the properties is expected to be tabled at the Johannesburg council for approval this month.

According to the motion, the area for sale is merely listed as Marks Park.

Marks Park is a 173-hectare farm that includes Melville Koppies, the Botanical Garden, Emmarentia Dam, and Westdene Dam, as well as other greenbelt areas.

With the City of Joburg in dire need of funds due to the abuse of power and budget overreaching in recent years, it has stated that the sale of the vast piece of land would yield an estimated income of R50 million.

The land was donated by Louw Geldenhuys to the city back in 1939 on the condition that it must be used for recreational purposes.

Now, the residents claim the land is the municipality’s land to sell.

Although the Johannesburg Property Company has said the spaces are safe for now, residents have threatened to go to court if the motion goes ahead.

Image credit: Joburg.co.za