Will the Tsutsumani floods be a thing of the past?
Residents of this section of Alexandra have been given the run-around for the past 19 years as they sought help from more than four councillors that have come and gone in the ward.
Residents of the Far East Bank section of Alexandra that have been battling rainwater that floods their houses for the past 19 years can now breathe a sigh of relief.
This follows an announcement by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Dr Mpho Phalatse of a R20 million flooding intervention project in that section of the iconic township of Alexandra which this year marked a 110 years since it was founded in 1912.
The extent of the problem in the area was highlighted recently by desperate resident Nomvula Mazibuko who said she had been sent from pillar to post by four previous councillors including, allegedly, current Ward 105 councillor Tefo Raphadu, each time she wanted her nightmare attended to.
However, Raphadu has committed to pressuring the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to remedy what he described as ‘shoddy’ work that saw the agency approve the developments in the area without taking into consideration the need for storm water drains.
Raphadu pointed out that the water that floods Mazibuko’s house actually comes from all over Tsutsumani via the streets. The water runs down the streets and gains momentum as it flows downhill to reach Mazibuko’s house, and then flows over a kerb that was built to try and stop the water from entering her house.
Addressing the Alexandra Business Development and Investment Summit in Kew on May 11, Phalatse said she had put aside a sum of R20 million in a flood alleviation and intervention project for the Far East Bank section.
“I know there have been a lot of cries from the residents in the area for many years but this was mostly highlighted to me in the campaigns for the recent Local Government Election of November 2021 and I have responded to their cries,” Phalatse told Alex News.
Phalatse pointed out that the R20 million for the Far East Bank floods will be part of a huge investment of R171 million in Alexandra as part of the City’s renewal programme for the township along with efforts from the South Africa Day initiative of the beautification and renewal programme under the We Love Alexandra Community Makeover Project.
Related article:
