Member of Parliament (MP) Haseena Ismail and DA Ward 29 PR Clr Joelene Mthethwa say they are concerned about the state of Actonville amid stormwater drain upgrades in the area.
According to the pair, the health and safety of residents is not being prioritised during the upgrades.
“The Ekurhuleni metro needs to ensure contractors employed do their job properly,” said Ismail.
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“There are open stormwater drains that are hazardous to pedestrians, residents’ vehicles and homes.
“Already a child fell into the open drain at the corner of Soma and Pursad streets.
“The stormwater drains have become a sewerage pit and a rubble dump.
“The stench is due to standing water and rubbish.
“The mobile toilets are attracting mosquitoes, rodents and are a safety and health risk to residents.
“A resident’s car tyre has already been damaged due to the drains not properly cordoned off.
“The street lights are never working.
“Residents are continuously reporting the mess in Pursad Street,” said Mthethwa.
“We have logged reports for the illegal dumping, open stormwater drains, street lights not working and the state of the roads last year and this year.
“The illegal dumping has increased and rodent infestations and airborne diseases are added to the long list of unresolved issues frustrating the residents of the ward.”
The City Times contacted Ward 29 Clr Imtiaz Loonat, as well as the Ekurhuleni metro, concerning the matter.
Loonat said the drains were opened due to the undertaking of the project.
“The contractors are upgrading stormwater drainage pipes and the work began in November last year,” said Loonat.
“The work is not yet done as the contractors discovered a main line that was not included in their scope of work.
“They requested drawings from the stormwater drains department to accommodate the line found and will work on this.
“The contractor will need to rehabilitate the drains and roads to clean the mess that was created during this time, but the contractor alone is not responsible for the mess created.
“I had a meeting with the contractor and requested to clean up for minimum effect on the community. Some residents and dwellers in the informal settlement are responsible for illegal dumping.
“Residents are not making use of their Ekurhuleni metro bins, so we appeal to them to use the bins to reduce illegal dumping.
“There have been claims of stolen bins. Residents who have experienced this need to report it, get an affidavit from the SAPS and get a replacement bin.”
No comment was received from the metro at the time of going to print.
