Residents held a placard demonstration at the Martsan Park playlot in Centenary Park against housing development at the playlot.
Image: SUPPLIED
RESIDENTS of Phoenix are rallying to halt the sale of community playlots, fearing the loss of green spaces to developers.
With alarming construction activity at Martsan Park, in Centenary Park, community leaders call for immediate action from local authorities.
A peaceful protest was held outside the playlot on Tuesday.
Val Pillay, chairperson of the Centenary Park Civic Association, said they were concerned about the ongoing sale and development of community playlots without any form of public engagement or consultation.
She said residents gathered to highlight the alarming trend of green spaces across Phoenix being sold to private developers.
“Community members say they are increasingly waking up to construction activity in areas that were once designated for recreation and community wellbeing. If this continues, Phoenix risks becoming a concrete jungle with little to no green space for residents.
“The community is calling on eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba to immediately place a moratorium on the sale and development of all playlots and parks in Phoenix,” she said.
“The rapid pace of development is placing immense pressure on already strained infrastructure. Residents are experiencing frequent sewer overflows, burst pipes, and related service delivery failures. These conditions not only affect basic living standards but also pose serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable members of the community,” she added.
Pillay said seniors, youth, and children were being robbed of safe recreational spaces that are vital for physical activity, social interaction, and community cohesion.
“It is concerning that the municipality continues to sell land to developers, including some who have been cited in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report. While a moratorium on the sale of playlots was introduced in 2018, it is troubling that development plans continue to receive approval through Town Planning and Development applications processes as recently as 2025.
“We are calling for urgent investigations into the actions of the human settlements and other relevant municipal departments. We further call on the courts to proceed with and enforce the recommendations outlined in the SIU report. The community will not remain silent while public spaces meant for the people are systematically removed,” Pillay added.
She said the demonstration marked the beginning of their fight to protect the remaining green spaces in Phoenix.
Sham Maharaj, a community leader, said the sale of playlots in Centenary Park was resolved 10 years ago when there was a similar move by developers to purchase the land.
“After a decade, we are surprised that they are moving to develop houses on the playlot. Parks and playlots are important to flourish there for child and youth development. If it is taken, we are left with nothing.
“Developers have already taken over many playlots and open spaces in Phoenix. It seems as if developers are in the know with the politicians and they are not listening to the views of the people.
“The parks and playlots are used everyday. We call for a moratorium on sale of land and building of houses until the matter is addressed with the community,” Maharaj said.