A GROUP of New Germany residents have made it their mission to clean up New Germany.
Christine Burnand, Zoe Commons and Erica Viljoen have, since November last year, been in regular contact with municipal staff over the cleaning of storm water drains, cutting of grass, the general state of the area’s roads and a number of other issues within the community.
“Thole Road, the road in front of Lyndhurst Primary School, is the main issue, but the entire New Germany is in a terrible state. The grass has grown so much on the pavement in Thole Street that there is hardly any pavement left for pedestrians, especially school children, to use. Another issue is the blocked storm water drains in the area. These inlets are so blocked by rubbish and garden refuse that properties and roads are flooded when it rains,” Burnand said.
Viljoen said it was frustrating not knowing who to deal with: “It’s frustrating that we don’t know who that one person is that we need to talk to. The area has deteriorated so badly in the last year,” she said.
Commons said they’ve been pushed from pillar to post: “We’ve only had one meeting with a municipal official, but since then there has been no follow-up or feedback. What are we paying rates for?”
Burnand said, when she and her family moved to the area 33 years ago, it was immaculate. “It was like living in the bush, it was beautiful,” said Burnand’s husband, Antony.
The group of women have sent about nine e-mails to various people within the municipality, but to no avail.
“No children or pedestrians have been knocked over yet, but it’s only a matter of time until someone does get knocked over by a car because of the overgrown pavement,” Burnand said.
eThekwini’s head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said the eThekwini Municipality’s Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department is responsible for the maintenance of the stormwater system in the New Germany and Padfield areas.
“The area is inspected regularly and repairs are undertaken as necessary. With the exception of road cleaning and edge definition, all current repair work has been attended to.
“Road cleaning and edge definition tenders are in the process of being advertised and it is anticipated that work will commence soon,” Mthethwa said.
Residents are urged to report all concerns related to the maintenance of roads and stormwater systems to the 24-hour call centre on 080 131 3013 or email Eservices@durban.gov.za.
