OUR CITY NEWS: Joburg’s public pool crisis: Safety excuse masks years of neglect
City blames safety compliance for postponing Johannesburg’s public swimming season to 1 October, while communities criticise staffing, maintenance failures and neglected pools across the city.
Johannesburg's municipal public swimming pools will not open until 1 October, as the city postpones the start of the 2026/27 swimming season due to safety concerns. The Department of Community Development stated that all pools must meet strict health, safety, and operational standards before reopening. This delay affects the city's 57 public swimming pools, with only 36 expected to open on the rescheduled date.
The issue has sparked criticism from residents who argue that the postponement is a result of inadequate planning, staffing, and maintenance.
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