A necessary nightmare for residents of the flats [PHOTOS]
The stormwater drain project at the Newclare flats underway.
Ward Councillor Susan Stewart held a block meeting with residents from the Newclare flats. The main purpose of the meeting was to consult with residents about the impact the stormwater project which started in May last year.
The project was extended for more months than planned but the councillor said that it’s a necessary nightmare. The stormwater drains will assist in the floods that occur at the flats have when it rains.
According to Stewart, the flats would eventually sink in if the stormwater drains were not sorted out first. The councillor tried to explain to the residents that the stormwater drain complaints and general complaints need to be kept separate at the meeting.
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“There’s no doubt about it, these flats are rotten to the core. These flats are over 50 years old and have been neglected for many years and unfortunately, the neglect has caused problems that are just accumulating by the day and causing even greater problems,” said the councillor.
The problems that stem from the neglect of the flats are the ceilings that are leaking, ceilings that cave in, water pipes that are rusted, old geysers, the constant reports of roof lifting, unstable structures, burst pipes, staircases collapsing, long grass, potholes, sewage, cracks in the walls and so many more.
According to the councillor, the flats all need to be repaired from the ground up. However, the City of Joburg does not have the budget to assist at the moment. Another issue that the councillor brought up was that in order for the City to have money, people need to pay their rates and taxes.
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“I understand why people don’t pay because some are unemployed and also the flats are in a really bad state. Every time we have meetings and the issues are brought up, the City tells me that my Ward brings in no money so how can we expect change?”
The councillor also added that there’s a lot of issues that are rooted in the national crisis and for many, it seems as though she as a councillor isn’t doing her job but some things come from bigger issues.
“Residents have to understand that some things are bigger than councillors. Its all dependant on how much revenue the City collects,” she said.
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Many residents wanted to voice their issues but the councillor had to stir the meeting towards the direction of the stormwater drains.
A few issues were brought up regarding the stormwater and they were: a lady said that there is pressure built up when they close the water source and constant switching on and off of the geyser damages it. The project resulted in more blocked manholes that are pushing up sewage water.
The councillor also explained that the underground pipes are all rusted therefore when the contractors are installing the stormwater drains, the rotten pipes burst because they have been neglected for many years. At the end of the meeting, the councillor took all the complaints with her.
Stewart left the residents with this message: “The problem in this community is that everyone wants to be the boss. No one wants to make an effort and say we are all living here, let’s work together to make our residence better. We need to help each other because the City is having financial constraints and we don’t know when that will be sorted out.”
