Residents plead to CoE to clean the dam in Elsburg
“The reeds are so tall and hide the dam and provide a perfect hiding spot for criminals.”
Residents living around Elsburg/Weideman Dam are appealing to the City of Ekurhuleni to intervene and clean it up.
The dam, which was once a big attraction where families could enjoy quality time in the park, has now become a threat and health hazard to the community.
According to resident Deon Graaff, who has lived in the area for over 30 years, the dam is nothing but a nightmare.
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“The dam used to be beautiful when you could see it. Families utilised the park and felt safe being in this space but now you cannot even allow children to come to play because it’s not safe with the lack of maintenance of the area,” said Graaff.
“The reeds are so tall and hide the dam and provide a perfect hiding spot for criminals.”
Residents said the state of the dam has caused property values to deteriorate and the area is no longer safe.
“The lack of upkeep of the dam and the park has left the community vulnerable to crime because now it also attracts vagrants and other undesirable elements into the area. The city does not care. We are left as residents to fight the battle on our own,” said Graaff.
Another resident, Belinda Rossouw, said the smell that comes from the dam is terrible.
“It is unbearable because people are also throwing dead animals into the dam and because of the long grass and reeds we cannot see into the dam to understand what causes the stink,” said Rossouw.
She said residents can’t continue living in these conditions and some are even selling as they feel it is no longer nice nor safe living in the area.
Ward councillor Jean Ingram said the Weideman Dam problem has been a longstanding concern.
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“I’m trying to get this issue back into the IDP as the dam has been a problem for years,” said Ingram.
She said research was done and a report was completed.
“A company was commissioned to conduct a water resource assessment, consisting of baseline aquatic and wetland ecology assessments for the proposed Elsburg Retention Dam Rehabilitation Project.
“This report, after taking into consideration the findings and recommendation provided by the specialist, should inform and guide the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) and regulatory authorities, enabling informed decision-making, as to the ecological viability of the proposed project,” said Ingram.
She said the reality of the dam getting fixed now is not looking promising but she will continue fighting and looking for solutions.
“Fixing the problem will require serious capital and the city currently does not have.
“That does not mean we stop fighting for this dam. I’m willing to hear solutions from the community who are willing to help rejuvenate the area,” said Ingram.
An enquire was sent to the CoE on January 17 and at the time of going to print on January 22, no comment had been received.
