Lack of response from EMM departments on floods questioned
"I am still waiting for the relevant department to comment."
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) remains mum on the damaged caused to Edenvale during the November 9 floods.
DA questions EMM’s response to floods
Since the November 9 floods, which occurred in Edenvale and the surrounding areas, a large part of the damaged infrastructure remains unrepaired and in some cases unusable.
Damaged bridges – business owners take action to ensure motorists’ safety
The floods occurred over a month ago as a result of the heavy rainfall and saw a large volume of water flowing down the Eastleigh Spruit.
In many instances the volume of water was in such excess that it went over the bridges in Edenvale, dragging debris across the bridge.
In addition to bridges and roads being damaged during the floods, numerous residential and business property owners were affected by the floods.
Many businesses located around the Eastleigh Spruit in Eastleigh were affected to such an extent that the businesses had to close early for the year.
Residents’ personal property was also swept away during the flooding, leaving many traumatised from the experience.
The NEWS has published a number of articles focusing on the devastation caused to homes, business and infrastructure by the floods in Edenvale.
In the past four editions of the Bedfordview and Edenvale News there have been articles published related to the floods.
#Floods – Father relives flood horror
For each article The NEWS requested comment from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and a number of the requests were met with silence.
Two of the most recent articles which were published in the December 7 edition of the Bedfordview and Edenvale News dealt specifically with the bridges in Edenvale.
After speaking to local ward councillors as well as fed up business owners, the NEWS requested comment from the EMM on two topics.
The first topic focused specifically on the bridges in Edenvale as a whole, while the second focused primarily on the Central Avenue bridge and the bridge being blocked by business owners.
The bridge was blocked as a result of the extensive damage caused to the bridge and a lack of response to the situation from the EMM.
On December 7 again a request for comment was sent to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Commented was requested on the two previous inquires by December 8 at 10am.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
Both inquiries were left unanswered. The only reply received was from the EMM communications department. “I am still waiting for the relevant department to comment,” said Ms Seabi Masilo, from the department of communications and brand management of the EMM.
