⚠️ Reader advisory: This article contains some bad language and a healthy dose of sarcasm. The comments and opinions quoted are sourced from social media and do not reflect the views of iNews. Proceed with caution.
The recent decision by the Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) to close off the Pet Dam area due to long-standing concerns around noise, drinking, littering, and environmental degradation triggered members of the Ermelo community.
With mixed feelings regarding this news, the comment section on the iNews post regarding this started to slowly get “lit”
Wow… It’s only taken 15 years to lock a gate
Thanks for closing the park, now close the potholes as well
However, while it was clear that many people welcomed the closure of the Pet Dam, some were not as happy;
Instead of dealing with livestock all over Ermelo CBD. So now they would rather let cows graze there than allow people in?
We weren’t bothering anyone by relaxing at the dam — If we weren’t black, this wouldn’t have been an issue.
As people argued for and against this decision, MLM seemingly felt it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stir things up, by releasing a new public notice;
Motorists are urged not to park "inside the Pet Dam", with all vehicles instead directed to the open parking area at Sport Inn. This could be seen as an attempt to manage traffic flow, and potentially boost our GDP as implied by one community member...
"Ahhh marra this is easy money for the speedcops"
Cue comment section with an overflow of sarcasm.
Please don't park in the dam... this party is going to get out of hand!
While this decision reflects ongoing attempts to balance community interests with ecological restoration, the community remains divided.
There we go again! Everything is going to be destroyed. Disgusting Msukaligwa
...gonna look like a dumpsite afterwards.. oh wait the water stinks anyways.
Despite these “negative” comments. Some people wholeheartedly welcomed this decision;
You hear us now; some of us have been given permission by the municipality. We will occupy both Sport Inn and Pet Dam. We only stopped because you complained that we were making noise — we are all residents of Msukaligwa.
Others did not...
"Ah, you guys (MLM) are drunk now, F-word-off with your dam..."
Over and above the mixed opinions, some commenters raised what could be described as practical concerns...
Yet some people appeared less focused on workable solutions and more intent on testing the limits of sarcasm in the comment section.
Manje we must organise a generator,mobile toilets with a dj once
Its fine I have a trolley and all my equipment
If any of our readers wanted a visual representation of what may come... we have you covered.
According to the municipality, signage displaying the official operating hours will be mounted at the main gate to guide residents during this temporary reopening.
While this article leans into satire to reflect the tone of the online discourse, the underlying issues remain serious. The mixed reactions highlight genuine divisions within the community, as well as the potential social and practical implications of decisions taken by Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
Whether in support of the closure, the temporary reopening, or critical of how it has been handled, residents have a legitimate right to voice their opinions — and those voices form an important part of the broader conversation around public spaces, safety, and environmental responsibility.