SDB needs area-specific action plan

SOUTH Durban Basin stakeholders have weighed in on the emergency booklet presented by the municipality on Tuesday, 13 October.

The reviews were varied, but many called for an area-specific plan. The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), however did not pull any punches and said they are outraged at “an emergency plan that is not worth the paper it is printed on”.

“We have been trying to get an emergency plan in place for the SDB for more than a decade and what we have been given is not what the community called for. How can they call it a plan for the SDB when there is nothing in it specifically related to the area? Earlier this year we were promised a comprehensive plan and what they have given us is a cop out,” said SDCEA co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa.

Bluff Community Policing Forum chairman, Carl Knauff concurred with D’Sa. He said he has worked with SDCEA for many years, visited communities and documented their concerns and is discouraged by the lack of co-operation from the municipality.

“SDCEA had meetings with all the communities in the basin and followed up their concerns. They produced a booklet with the input of Rory O’Connor, the university and Bobby Peek.

This new metro booklet is to my opinion just a re-invention of something already done. It is a pity some metro departments or groups of people can’t work together to promote progress. In short, the booklet is a waste of time and money. The money should rather be spent on the comprehensive disaster management project,” said Knauff.

SDCEA air quality officer, Bongani Mthembu said the organisation had produced an emergency planning guide in 2008 with much of the same information as the new municipal booklet, but with more information relative to the SDB.

“This is what is upsetting to us. The information has been around for years. A new general emergency booklet was not needed. A risk assessment and complete metro-based plan specific to the area, with all departments involved, is what we need. We are writing a letter to the mayor and city manager to call for a more comprehensive plan and for the risk assessment for the area to be released,” said D’Sa.

At the meeting on 13 October, some residents called for more radio stations and other methods of communication be included to relay messages during an emergency.

Merebank Residents Association chairman Raja Naidu asked why the booklet did not include an evacuation plan specific to the area and called for CCTV monitors to be fixed in the area.

Bluff Alliance member, Ivor Aylward, believes much was omitted of the emergency booklet.

“There is no clarity in the book. How can they claim it is an SDB plan, when it states it is just a general plan that can be used in any area? Signage must be placed at the places where people will gather. A special siren must be used so that the community knows there’s a problem. Is there a plan in place for load shedding and are emergency services trained for this?

Basically, did the municipality ask for our input on this matter, so they can get it right in the first place so they don’t waste ratepayers’ money? No, they did not,” said Aylward.

Bluff Community Orientated Policing manager, Rake Jeeves said the booklet is good but thinks the SDB is in an unique and very dangerous location and a comprehensive emergency plan specific to the area is needed.

“Can you imagine a major disaster that requires the Bluff people to evacuate? The roads leading out of the Bluff would become gridlocked. The local metro police and fire departments need to be trained for such situations, otherwise it could end in disaster,” said Jeeves.

To the multiple complaints that the plan was not area specific, the disaster management team said they had not completed their journey and much work was still to be done. An advisory committee and technical task team for the SDB was working on a plan for the area and an addendum at a later date will include specific plans for each area.

Not all opinions were negative, however. Montclair Community Policing Forum chairman, Roy Brown said he had looked at the booklet and believed it was a great initiative.

“I hope it gets distributed to all households in the SDB,” said Brown.

“It is user-friendly and concise. Importantly, it distinguishes between the various threats and risks and shows appreciation for the fact that evacuation is absolutely the last resort,” added ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois.

Ward 69 councillor, Brandon Pillay and Isipingo PR councillor, Jacob Pienaar were both excited about the booklet and thanked the municipality. Pillay called for all communities to work together to ensure their own safety.