Blasting rocks in Sharonlea
SHARONLEA – Central Sharonlea Residents Forum raised an alarm over blasting at a property development.
The Central Sharonlea Residents Forum (CSRF) sought the help of Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittka, after a blasting at a property development in Malibongwe Drive, left residents shaken. “Several residents have contacted me complaining bitterly that their houses shake, every time a blast takes place,” lamented CSRF chairperson Richard Shuttle, “and their pets are going mad with distress.”
How and where the rubble from the construction was being discarded, was also questioned. “We suspect they are dumping the rock waste across the other side of President Fouché Road,” Shuttle remarked. “We are still waiting for some action from JMPD to stop the dumping and have the site cleared and secured.”
A business owner in the immediate vicinity of the construction site was, however, glad that the property is being developed. “The blasts didn’t affect my business or my customers at all,” said the business owner, who asked not to be named. “Residents should be grateful that townhouses are being built there. Randburg needs to expand for it to prosper further.” He also mentioned that before construction began, the open field area used to be a safe hiding place for criminals.
Councillor Bittkau went to investigate the matter and found himself pleasantly surprised after a conversation with contractor’s representative. “Having been in the construction industry myself for about 44 years, made it far easier,” said Bittkau. “I looked at the site and saw the extent to which blasting still has to take place.”
The contractor informed Bittkau that the construction company, should be finished blasting by next week and that they have acquired a siren on site to alert those in the surrounding areas when the blasts are about to take place. “He was also very forthcoming in wanting to engage with any residents who have complaints or worries around the blasting.” They have agreed to try as best as possible to limit the impact by relay-blasting, and where possible, to do multiple smaller blasts in order to limit the impact.
