Ward councillor sees improvement after mayor’s visit
The mayor's visit has born fruit in the form of a notice of closure for an illegal car wash and plans made to alleviate sewage and park issues.
A week after the mayor visited Ward 101, its councillor Ralf Bittkau says he is positive all the issues raised will be addressed.
Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, Region C regional director Mlamleli Belot, and a number of MMCs and department managers from the City of Joburg joined Bittkau for various site visits on October 11, but the whole week saw activity as departments assessed and addressed issues. These included public spaces illegally taken over by recyclers, seweage, water and electricity issues, a number of roads that needed new markings, and Camphers Street outside Sharonlea Primary School, which had waited years for resurfacing while learners were in danger crossing the road.
Also read: Mayor visits Olivedale, Sharonlea, Bromhof and other areas in Ward 101
There were also stands from departments at All Saints Shopping Centre where city staff interacted and helped residents.
“Over and above a number of other actions have been started,” Bittkau reported on October 20.
“Joburg Roads Agency has already started with the retarring of Camphers Street… They have further undertaken to sort out Ostrich Road and Parrot Street. Unfortunately, the contractor for Elnita Avenue, CR Swart Drive and Wilgeboom Road is still dragging his feet.”
Bittkau said the sewage issues affecting the Pampoen Spruit and Klein Jukskei River are being worked on.
“Just the other day we had a big downpour and it highlighted two issues, the one being the lack of maintenance and the other being the ingress of rainwater into what is supposed to be a sealed system. I have been fighting this for years. As we are on a watershed, every sewer spill ends up in our rivers and the resulting pollution is totally unacceptable.”
He said this has affected the Crocodile and Vaal rivers system severely. Also, Bittkau’s ‘biggest win’ from the mayor’s visit was city officials realising that Golden Harvest Park – supposedly one of the city’s flagship parks and the largest in Randburg – needed to be restored.
“They have realised as well that City Parks and, especially, Joburg Property Company need to get off their derrieres and do the necessary. This includes sorting out the illegal occupation of the houses, most of which have been deemed unfit for inhabitation. This also includes the old nursery.”
An illegal car wash on Hyperion Drive has been served with a notice.
“Overall it is important to note that all our issues are now elevated to the level of the regional director and above – thus I am confident that we will finally get the necessary traction.”
