Rotting Komani Public Pool Becomes a Danger Zone for Kids

Komani’s Public Swimming Pool Lies in Ruins as Residents Call for Action

Once a community hub, now a health hazard

The Komani Public Swimming Pool, once a busy spot for families and schoolchildren, now stands abandoned and in disrepair — a sad reflection of neglect in the heart of town. A visit to the site this week revealed a scene of decay: cracked walls, broken infrastructure, and a stagnant green pool filled with rainwater and algae.

Inside the building, where the men’s and women’s changing rooms used to be, there is old rubbish scattered everywhere. Walls are crumbling, and signs of vandalism and neglect are visible throughout. Several residents living nearby told Komani.co.za that the facility has effectively become a shelter for homeless individuals who use it at night, raising safety and sanitation concerns.

“It’s nasty living next to this place,” say residents

Locals say the condition of the property is “nasty and disgusting”, and that it has become an eyesore in the community. “It’s not nice living next to an abandoned swimming pool,” said one nearby resident. “The dirt, and the fear that something could happen there — it’s just not right.”

Others believe the municipality should sell off or repurpose the land, arguing that the space could be used for housing, small businesses, or even a park rather than remaining derelict.

Overgrown and unsafe

The grass around the back of the property appears to have been cut at some stage, but thorn bushes and overgrown trees have now taken over much of the area. The pool itself is partly filled with rainwater — murky and green, especially near the deep end — while the shallow section is dry and cracked.

Residents warn that this makes the site extremely dangerous, especially for children who might wander inside. “If a child falls into that dirty water, it could end badly,” said another local, pointing out that no fencing or warning signs are in place to keep people out.

Calls for municipal intervention

The facility, located within the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, has not been in public use for several years. Community members are demanding clarity on whether the site will ever be restored or officially decommissioned.

The municipality has previously acknowledged that Komani’s public amenities, including sports and recreation facilities, require urgent repair or repurposing. However, no concrete timeline has been given for the pool’s rehabilitation or redevelopment.

Residents say they are tired of waiting: “Either fix it or sell it. Leaving it like this is a danger and a disgrace.”

A symbol of neglect

The once-proud public pool now stands as a symbol of civic neglect and lost community spaces in Komani. As one resident summed up: “This place used to bring people together — now it just reminds us how things have fallen apart.”

Whether through restoration, sale, or redevelopment, locals agree that something must be done soon to prevent further decay and danger.