ERWAT shares concerns of vandalism on property
Duduza – The East Rand Water Care Association (ERWAT) has responded to questions following the discovery of a woman's body earlier this year at the old pump station in Duduza which belongs to the company.
The African Reporter had questioned ERWAT on security issues surrounding the station concerning residents and whether there were any plans to close off the land or demolish the structure at this site.
According to Wanda Annandale of ERWAT, through investigation they have managed to trace the records of the Duduza pump station which is actually called the Zamani pump station.
“We can confirm that the property was sold to ERWAT in March 2000 and due to the building of a R10-million new pipeline between Nigel, Duduza and Tsakane, the Zamani pump station became obsolete and was no longer used by ERWAT.
“The pump station was, however, kept in case the need should arise to re-divert flows via the pump station again,” she explains.
Annandale went on to explain that after a child drowned at the site in 2010, ERWAT secured the area by filling the open structures with soil, but since then no complaints had been received by them.
“Unfortunately vandals stole the gate and we cannot keep on replacing it.
“We have no control over criminal activities that may take place there, as all our safety measures are vandalised and it becomes wasteful expenditure that we have to account for.
“We agree that the best short-term solution is to close the area off, but it will be vandalised again,” she says.
She however adds that the best solution would be for ERWAT to demolish the building, but it involves a process that will not happen overnight.
“Firstly all the necessary approvals will have to be obtained and then the process of demolition will have to be budgeted for.
“We therefore cannot make any promises or commit ourselves to one solution,” Annandale concludes.
