Damaged inspectorate flat: Metro to determine full extent of damage

The City of Ekurhuleni will make a decision about the fate of the Boksburg SPCA’s inspectorate flat after doing the final evaluation to determine the extent of the damage.

This statement from the metro’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini comes after the Boksburg Advertiser sent an enquiry following the society’s appeal for the public’s assistance to repair the flat that was damaged by a tree following an accident on Campbell Road on the morning of June 25 last year.

At the time, EMPD spokesperson Constable Deliwe Ndlovu said a truck driver drove into a tree, causing it to fall on a municipal building rented by the Boksburg SPCA. It is believed the truck driver, who sustained slight injuries, lost control of the vehicle due to the wet weather.

On what the metro has done thus far about the flat, Dlamini said preliminary surveys have been conducted and the clearing of rubble has also been done.
With regards to who is responsible for the repairs, the spokesperson said: “According to the expired lease agreement between SPCA and the council, the lessee is responsible. However, the council will make a determination.”

The metro did not clarify when this will happen.
This publication previously reported the Boksburg SPCA manager, Vicky Finnemore, said the society has not received communication from the metro regarding its plans with the flat.

Dlamini, however, claims the statement is not ‘entirely true’.

“There has been communication with the SPCA soon after the incident.”

Finnemore previously highlighted the flat is important to the SPCA as it is frequently used by after-hour staff.

“We would like to restore or rebuild the flat because we’re struggling without it. Our inspectors live outside town in places such as Kempton Park, meaning they now have to drive a long way to assist sick or injured animals. We’re also spending a lot of money on petrol,” she said.

Finnemore said the structure is old and was functional for several decades.

The manager added that the SPCA does not have the funds to repair or rebuild the flat and would appreciate help from construction companies.
“It is just a big room. The foundation is already there,” said Finnemore.

The Advertiser asked the metro about the guardrail that was damaged in the accident has not been fixed. The question was left unanswered.
Other driver speaks out

The other driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said then that he was on his way to work in his GWM H5 at about 07:15 in the morning.
“I was driving from the SPCA entrance in the direction of St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls. When I drove around the corner in my lane, the truck bumped me.

“I can’t remember anything else until I woke up a few minutes later and saw I was in an accident and had been knocked off the bridge.
“After struggling to get out of the car, I noted the scene. I saw that the truck was over the side of the road and drove into a tree. The paramedic examined me, and I was taken to the hospital.

“The doctor was concerned that I injured my back, so he sent me for X-rays and a CT scan. I was discharged from the hospital later that day with whiplash and a few injuries. I am still recovering from the injuries,” said the Dayanglen resident.

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