Residents of Jukskei Park are reportedly responding to the call made by Inyanga Close Residents’ Association chairman, Andre de Bruyn, to visit their local Pick n Pay at Douglasdale Shopping Mall along Leslie Street to sign a petition.
De Bruyn told Fourways Review on 18 June that the residents were determined to push the council into solving their problems. He said banners were already flying in the area, adding that a table has been made available by store management for residents to sign the petition.
“People see the importance of getting this problem… [sorted out] and they are coming to sign. By 1 July, we will have 3 000 signatures. Last week we had 300 signatures,” said De Bruyn.
He warned that the widening riverbank will eat into Galeniet Road within two years if the council does not take action.
“The park in Galeniet Street is slowly washing away trees, riverbanks and water pipes, and if it continues, it will touch the road within the next 24 months,” warned De Bruyn.
Another resident, Hans Schutte of Summerfield Park in Jukskei, accused the council of failing to remove trees that were uprooted during the flooding of the river five months ago.
“I am talking specifically about the flooding and heavy rains on 18 February. The tree is still in the same place left by the flood. It is still there,” fumed Schutte. He invited firewood collectors to visit the riverbank and chop up the uprooted trees for their own use.
Joburg Roads Agency spokeswoman Bertha Peters-Scheepers said Juskei River was City Parks’ responsibility. City Parks spokesperson, Jenny Moodley, is still on leave. Questions e-mailed to her a week ago had not yet been responded to by the time of going to press.
