Businesses in the Meadowdale area are fed up with the continuous flooding of their businesses when heavy rains occur.
On January 19, representatives from businesses in the area came together with local ward councillors to determine what needs to be done about the flooding of their businesses.
Councillor Tiziana Plaskitt of ward 92 said the businesses requested the meeting following her site visits with the City of Ekurhuleni about solutions for the flooding.
She said the businesses wanted feedback.
Many of the businesses feel that the poor maintenance of the stormwater system and its inability to cope with the amount of water contributes to the flooding and damages of the businesses.
Councillor Simon Lapping of ward 17 said over the past two decades he has seen a change in the weather patterns in the area.
“The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) has a duty to monitor these changes and has a duty to act in a positive manner,” said Clr Lapping.
He said over the years the EMM has failed to respond in a positive manner to the flooding.
Clr Lapping said the meeting was also held to consider options and a course of action for the businesses to take.
“Urgent action needs to be taken,” said Clr Plaskitt.
Ms Angela Lorio, from Cargo Compass, said whenever there are floods the the cargo stored at the company is damaged despite taking the necessary precautions.
“The water is about hip height and whenever it floods it means more expenses for us,” said Ms Lorio.
Ms Lorio said businesses have to take their own measures to ensure the safety of the business and their products.
She said Cargo Compass makes use of sandbags to try hamper the the flow of water.
“It looks like a warzone with all the sandbags outside,” said Ms Lorio.
A common concern raised by all the business owners was that there is not enough infrastructure and maintenance done on the stormwater systems in the area.
Clr Plaskitt said in general there is a corrosion and failure of electricity and water infrastructure.
“The EMM is not maintaining or protecting the current infrastructure,” said Clr Plaskitt.
At the meeting it was decided that the businesses in the area will request a meeting with city officials.
The meeting will give the City of Ekurhuleni an opportunity to respond.
If no response, or an inadequate response is received from the EMM, the businesses will consider using a mundanuos order to get a more immediate response form the EMM.
Clr Lapping said he would provide the businesses with assistance and guidance with regards to the legal matters.
Following the meeting, the group walked over to a stormwater servitude in the area.
The servitude was silted up and had invasive plants such as black wattle growing on the surrounding banks
“If the stormwater infrastructure was cleaned and maintained, the flooding and damage done to the businesses could have been lessened,” said Clr Lapping.
A request for comment was sent to the communication department of the EMM, with a request for comment by January 23 by 9am.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
