The City of Ekurhuleni has started the process to address the damaged stormwater servitude between Cunningham and High roads. This announcement comes a month and a half after 80-year-old Eastleigh resident Les Tindale’s perimeter wall first collapsed into the servitude.
On March 31 Tindale’s wall started collapsing and four weeks later a second portion collapsed.
Tindale believes the collapse of his wall was a result of damage caused by the November 2016 floods.
Themba Gadebe, CoE spokesperson, said after the servitude was inspected it was determined that the spruit was damaged by recent floods.
“Consultants will be appointed to assess the stability of this portion of the servitude and to design remedial measures,” said Gadebe.
The provincial Department of Water and Sanitation will need to approve the remedial designs suggested by consultants.
“The CoE is in the process of sourcing funds to appoint consultants and hopes to have consultants appointed by June.”
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Tindale’s situation is just one example of the challenges facing residents and business along Edenvale’s stormwater servitudes.
Last year three Eastleigh businesses went as far as obtaining rulings from the Johannesburg High Court ordering CoE to remediate the Eastleigh spruit.
Although the rulings were made little physical remediation of the spruit was seen by the community.
To date the Edenvale’s servitudes remain damaged, overgrown and blocked with debris.
Gadebe said since the CoE was made aware of the flood damage of 2016 it has started addressing the damage.
He said consultants have been appointed to several flood-damaged areas of the town and have completed their remedial designs.
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Applications for the remedial designs have been sent for approval to the relevant departments.
Once the applications have been approved, CoE will instruct contractors to start implementing the remedial measures.
“It must be noted that the CoE could not anticipate the severity of the flood and as such could not budget for such eventualities,” said Gadebe.
“Funding will be sourced in terms of financial regulations.”
