Piles of old and damaged municipal infrastructure at the old Edenvale Testing Centre have an Eastleigh resident concerned for the safety of her neighbourhood.
High Road resident of 47 years Fatima Santo raised her concerns after she noticed large amounts of old municipal infrastructure moved to the testing centre.
Among the piles of infrastructure were old poles, street lights, cables and electrical boxes.
Santo said the infrastructure was moved to the testing centre about two months ago.
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She said before the infrastructure was moved the testing centre stood vacant for many years.
According to Santo it was closed 17 years ago and hasn’t been used since.
Santo said the testing centre opposite her property has become an eyesore and is attracting negative elements to the community.
“Whoever is in charge of this, needs to clean it up and respond to the community,” said Santo.
“The municipality should be ashamed.”
Santo said she is living in fear because of the mess on the City of Ekurhuleni’s property.
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A few weeks ago, Santo said she and her husband saw men climb over the property’s wall and take some of the metal on the property.
She said she did not phone the police because she was worried that the individuals would return or harass her.
“According to the signs, the property is a testing centre, not a dump,” said Santo.
“The community just wants the property cleaned up.”
Ward 18 Cllr Heather Hart said the CoE is storing the infrastructure at the centre while it waits for a legitimate disposal process to be completed.
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Hart said she was told by municipal workers that the infrastructure would be disposed of.
“It is unfair that residents have to look onto this unsightly situation,” said Hart.
“It is a big mess and nobody seems to be taking accountability.”
A request for comment was sent to the CoE on June 13. Comment was requested by June 15 at 1pm.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
