The City of Ekurhuleni has made it clear that, currently, there are no approved implementation plans in place for erosion control or embankment stabilisation at the Willow Crescent section of the Jukskei River.

This was in response to an article published by The News on January 28 titled, Flood fears raises alarm. In the article, it was highlighted that residents with properties close to the river live in fear of property damage due to floods caused, among other factors, by erosion of the embankment.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said, “The department has not yet conducted a technical site investigation at this specific location.

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A dedicated site visit and engineering assessment will need to be undertaken to determine the extent of erosion, associated risks, and appropriate remedial interventions.

“Any future plans will be subject to the outcome of this assessment and the availability of funding through the city’s planning and budgeting processes.”

He added that following the 2016 floods, no major structural flood protection measures have been implemented along the specific section of the Jukskei River flowing behind Willow Crescent.

“While inspections have taken place over time, comprehensive flood mitigation interventions require detailed hydrological studies, design, and capital funding. To date, such works have not been implemented due to budgetary constraints and the absence of an approved capital project for this location,” Dlamini explained.

He said that the maintenance of trees, vegetation and grass cutting within river corridors and park areas falls under the mandate of the City’s Park and Environmental Resources departments.

Dlamini said the condition of the bridge wall on that part of the river has not yet been formally assessed. He said a technical inspection will be required to determine the cause and severity of the deterioration and any potential safety risks.

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Should rehabilitation works be deemed necessary and fall beyond routine maintenance, he said the matter will be considered for inclusion in future capital planning processes, subject to funding availability.

“The city acknowledges the concerns of residents living adjacent to the Jukskei River and understands the anxiety associated with flooding and erosion risks.

“Residents are encouraged to remain cautious, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and to avoid accessing potentially unstable riverbanks,” said Dlamini.

He advised that any immediate hazards should be reported through the city’s official service channels. Longer-term interventions will be considered once technical investigations have been completed and subject to the availability of funding, said the spokesperson.