Becky Smith argues that Joburg Water has not cleaned or desilted the Little Jukskei River and it therefore overflows on rainy days.
Smith, a resident at Ululapa complex in Sharon Lea Ext 17, says too much sand in the river leads to overflows and it could cause damage to their properties.
“Where we live, there are three dam walls and a water testing station for Joburg Water. On the other side of the Malibongwe Bridge is where two rivers meet, being the Little Jukskei and the Pampoen rivers, to then form the Little Jukskei River,” explains Smith.
She added that when the dams silt up, the river gets flooded and “water comes right up to our fence and on the other side of the river where there is a play park for kids. This is due to too much sand being in the dam area, so there is nowhere else for the water to go but flood the surrounding areas.”
Ward 101 Councillor Ralf Bittkau responded, “river frontages do not get cleaned anymore. For the past 15 or more years river frontages have not been cleaned. These days, residents clean their own frontages. Cutting and clearing of grass does not happen anymore and that is how the city should be run.”
Smith further added that a Joburg Water team used to come out and move sand down the river to stop water overflowing to the nearest buildings.
“A couple of weeks ago there was a lot of rain and the river flooded badly, it has washed out some of the bank of the river, which probably wouldn’t have caused as much damage to the side of the river if there wasn’t so much sand blocking up the river in the first place.”
Attempts were made to contact Eleanor Mavimbela of Joburg Water, and the response is awaited.
