Ward 15 meeting: service delivery updates and challenges

Ward 15 Clr Amanda Davison facilitated a public meeting via Zoom on February 16 to report back on service delivery issues.

Waste, grass-cutting, power outages, water, potholes and Elgin Bridge were primary points of discussion. Alderman Khosi Mabaso, the MMC for Environmental Resource Management, was invited to join the meeting and have face time with residents, but reported that her office had difficulties with their email.

Davison, therefore, got answers to pressing matters in the ward to be communicated to those in attendance as communicated by Mabaso.

Elgin Bridge and potholes

“We’ve been fighting about Elgin Bridge to be addressed for months, if not years. I managed to arrange an interdepartmental meeting at the bridge and a plan was put in place. “A message that the bridge will be closed on February 16 and 17 was widely circulated. Unfortunately, they only managed to finish an hour’s work and were digging a trench before they realised they needed more tar to create gutters for water flow to be directed to the sewer line.”

Davison told meeting attendees she was “quite disgusted to learn this” as all the necessities were discussed and planned to avoid any stagnation.

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“I apologise for this delay and will be in regular contact with the site workers to have it done. I understand the many complaints about the road closure, especially since school started. “However, this issue has been developing for years and is finally receiving urgent attention, and we need to have the patience for it to be resolved.”

Potholes, especially after the heavy rains, have also been a main cause for concern for motorists. Davison said the roads department is doing its utmost best.

“This department is still working with skeleton staff and they are doing their best to attend to each pothole everywhere.”

Waste

“Landfill site closures causing delays in waste collection was partly a result of the private-owned site in Chloorkop refusing entrance to Ekurhuleni trucks since their account wasn’t paid in full,” Davison said.

Following negotiations and money being paid, Mabaso told Davison operations should go back to normal by February 17.

“Platkop in Heidelberg is still open; however, it’s very far and the turn-around time to that site is anything between four to six hours.”

All the transfer stations are open and fully operational, but there are other landfill sites awaiting tender processes.

Grass-cutting

“Mabaso didn’t have time to report back on matters relating to grass-cutting, but the department has been working on a grass-cutting schedule. “We have received the schedule for January, but have not received any updated schedules despite many requests,” Davison continued.

Problems experienced by the Kempton Park parks depot servicing Ward 15 include a lack of PPE, although they have enough staff. Davison said investigations are underway and solutions are being considered.

Power, electricity and streetlights

“Unfortunately, this is an issue experienced by the entire Ekurhuleni metro. Budget cuts have been subjected to all departments, which also contributes to a lack of staff to service the entire Ekurhuleni’s electricity needs.”

According to Davison, street lights are not classified as a priority, especially since there is a lack of staff in the department.

“One positive update for power is that there was a massive cable installation from Aston Manor all the way to the Glen Marais substation. This project had some issues and is not completely finalised.”

Water

Davison stated there were a lot of issues regarding water considering all the pipe bursts and pressure regulation. “A new pipe was installed in Fiskaal Street in Glen Marais, in addition to pressure relief valves (PRVs) that were implemented everywhere which seems to have resolved the issue quite a bit.”

Davison concluded that in Birchleigh there remained unresolved problems, but PRVs are being implemented and the department will inform her of any further replacements of water pipes.

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