Lack of repair work a concern
“Since the storm, the wall is now basically a freeway for those wanting to gain access to the area.”
Following the damage inflicted by the storm of January 17, Eastleigh resident Julia Kendall raised concerns over the lack of repairs carried out by the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).
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The rain saw localised flooding occur throughout Edenvale, with large volumes of water coursing through Edenvale’s stormwater networks.
The large volumes of water flooded roads and further damaged stormwater infrastructure and for some brought back memories of the November 2016 floods.
Kendall’s concerns stem from the damage the floodwater caused when a section of Horwood’s Farm’s perimeter fence and a portion of the palisade wall across Homestead Road were flattened.
Kendall, a resident of Edenvale for 41, said although the 2016 floods were much worse, the January storm caused extensive damage.
Besides inflicting damage to the infrastructure, the floodwater left debris around Homestead Road’s stormwater drains.
Kendall believes if this debris is not removed, it will cause problems on Homestead Road when the heavy rains in the future as the debris hinders the drains.
Last October, Kendall and fellow Consalves Road residents raised concerns about homeless individuals and recyclers living on and making use of the open piece of land and the road where their properties are located.
Residents and homeowners said the activities of those living on and making use of the land posed a security risk, broke municipal by-laws and affected the resale value of their properties.
In response to the residents’ concerns, CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini informed the NEWS last November the city was aware of homeless individuals and recyclers on the open piece of land.
Dlamini said although the area was cleaned several times in the past, it had proved unsustainable as the sorting of waste continued.
Kendall said the homeless and recyclers previously gained access to the area through broken potions in the palisade wall.
“Since the storm, the wall is now basically a freeway for those wanting to gain access to the area,” said Kendall.
Kendall said since the collapse of the palisade wall, she has noticed more activity on the open piece of land.
“At night, we see more fires and while driving on Homestead Road you can sometimes see recyclers carrying items into the open piece of land,” said Kendall.
To get the matter attended to, Kendall said she sent emails to CoE’s real estate department, Edenvale’s Customer Care Centre manager, EMPD and her ward councillor, Heather Hart.
“I was informed that this matter has nothing to do with the real estate department and that it was not budgeted for,” explained Kendall.
A request for comment was sent to CoE on February 23, requesting comment by February 25 by 13:30.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
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