Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp, together with his ward committee and representatives from other government departments, conducted a walkabout in the Kya Sand Block B and C informal settlements.
The aim of the walk was to identify and highlight the various issues affecting Kya Sand Block B residents. Pikitup, Joburg Water, Human Settlements and JMPD were the entities involved in the walk.
Steenkamp said that they identified numerous illegal water connections, particularly from fire hydrants. There were also numerous sewer leaks which is a major health hazard and illegal dumping.
“The entities have advised they will arrange resources for the quick fixes however there were major challenges in some locations. The concern was how municipal trucks and vehicles will access some locations to fix matters, particularly one spot that has a water burst right underneath the shacks. This means some shacks will have to be demolished in order to fix and remove illegal water connections.”
“There are numerous small and major issues in Kya Sand and I believe many small differences in trying to improve the lives with health and safety in the community will go a long way,” said the ward councillor.
The illegal dumping matter is another major issue in the community. He stated that he submitted a written question to the council asking what the plans are to deal with the issue.
WATCH:
Pikitup spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi said that the failure of an initial plan to ensure that waste is collected in the area led to the recent approach of waste collection in Kya Sand.
He explained that their waste collection trucks cannot access the area. As a result, a plan was then devised where residents were allowed to dispose of their waste in the following areas:
- Corner of the old landfill site,
- Hanni’s dumping,
- Taxi rank and
- Pre-school.
Waste in the mentioned areas is then collected every Tuesday.
“The Industrial side of Kya Sand contains huge amounts of illegally dumped waste and at times it requires an entire shift to complete the clearance of illegal dumping spots. It is difficult to clear the site as residents or illegal operators of illegal dumping spots who seek recyclable materials threaten Pikitup employees.
“The area needs multi-disciplinary and multiple entities such as Development Planning, JMPD and other key stakeholders to ensure that waste by-laws and other city by-laws are enforced to ensure the area is clean,” said Mkhwanazi.
Ward committee member Florence Makaringe thanked the councillor and entities that attend the walkabout.
“The main issues we are in need of urgent assistance on is water running all over and inside the houses, illegal connections and rubbish that people throw anywhere. “We hope they came back early in time to fix all problems we have. But, if we as a community work together with these entities and councillors, I think everything will change.”
