Response from officials frustrates residents
A Kensington resident is unhappy with the response and apparent lack of action by officials.
Earlier this month, the EXPRESS published an article in which Mr John Banks raised concerns about the state of Fotheringham Park.
He urged authorities to attend to the illegal dumping in the park. He said the dumping, against residents’ boundary walls, is posing a health hazard and is leading to an increase in the rat population in the area.
He also complained about illegal dumping in certain streets, open manholes and drains, damaged pavements and incomplete work by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Joburg Water.
In a joint response at the time from Ms Millicent Kabwe from Joburg Water and Ms Bertha Peters-Scheepers from the JRA, they said there was only one missing manhole cover at the corner of Orion and Langermann Drive and it was made safe with a jersey barrier.
They also said there was an open excavation at the corner of Orion Street and Highland Road, which they had barricaded. In addition, a damaged meter affecting the tarred pavement and kerbs in Orion Street was also replaced.
In response to this, Mr Banks said the hole on the corner of Highland Road and Orion Street has not been repaired.
“Nor is there any protective barrier to prevent injury to people passing-by. At this point in time, three manhole covers are still missing at the corner of Orion Street and Highland Road,” said Mr Banks.
He added that a clean up is yet to take place in Fotheringham Park and rats are still a problem in the area.
Ms Millicent Kabwe, from Joburg Water, said the matter has been escalated to the regional manager to determine what happened. “In the meantime, a team is being assigned to deal with the work that is still outstanding. We will provide feedback once the team has completed the work,” she said.
Ms Bertha Peters-Scheepers, from the JRA, said the agency will reinstate once Joburg Water has completed the work.
“We will follow up on the manhole covers as a matter of urgency,” she said.
The EXPRESS forwarded an enquiry to Ms Jenny Moodley, from the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received. @JoziReporter
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