JRA apologies for dumping in the Jukskei River in Buccleuch

The Johannesburg Roads Agency has apologised after a social media video showed a team dumping debris and litter into the river at Bridge Road in Buccleuch.

The front-end loader truck was seen dumping debris and litter into the Jukskei River. Photo: @myJRA Twitter

While the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) was proactive in dealing with the recent blockage and excess debris at the low-laying bridge at Bridge Road, a video shared by Buccleuch residents questioned the entity’s methods.

The video, shared on November 2, showed a front-end loader clearing litter from the bridge and dumping it into the Jukskei River.

ALSO READ: Johannesburg Road Agency share progress on low-water bridge in Buccleuch

In reply to the video, various residents questioned the entity’s actions, many calling it “unacceptable”, and “inexcusable”. The debris was the result of the heavy rains on November 1.

In a written response to the Chronicle on behalf of the JRA, operations marketing manager Bertha Peters-Scheepers extended the entity’s apologies, thanking the community for bringing the matter to its attention.

ALSO READ: Residents urged to report illegal dumping

“JRA sincerely apologises for the incident. As soon as JRA became aware from our community eyes and ears on the ground, we were able to rectify the situation.”

The low-laying bridge was blocked following heavy rains on November 1. Photo: @myJRA Twitter

She added that the JRA regional depot manager immediately initiated a clean-up operation. The staff members responsible for dumbing the debris into the river have been reprimanded.

ALSO READ: Don’t throw rubbish in storm water drains, cautions Joburg Roads Agency

“The JRA prides itself in adhering to standard operating procedures in all our operations and refraining from doing anything harmful to the environment, including river courses.

“Debris is accumulated upstream after having been dumped into the river and JRA is responsible for keeping our bridges open for traffic, and we understand that cleaning up our rivers is a collective effort.”

During an oversight visit at the bridge on November 2, JRA CEO Tshepo Mahanuke called on the community to refrain from dumping in the river.

ALSO READ: Illegal dumping in Buccleuch leads to hefty fines

Residents can report blocked stormwater drains and all flash floods related incidents to the JMPD or SAPS, or the City of Johannesburg’s call centre number 0860 562874.