Eyebrows raised as park upgrade nears completion

The Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni is concerned about the current state of Jan Smuts Park and the Brakpan Dam noting that millions of rands are being spent to upgrade the park.

According to DA councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan, Brandon Pretorius, the concern about the state of the dam is nothing new and even though the upgrade brought excitement, it now just seems money is being wasted.

“Residents gave the City of Ekurhuleni the benefit of the doubt, even though they did not understand why the city would spend money on the upgrade of the park rather than the removal of the hyacinth infestation on the dam itself,” he said.

“This was obviously a mistake.

READ: Park upgrade project gets underway

“The upgrade of the park is moving slowly towards completion and, as new work is being done, the upgrades made last year are already deteriorating.

“This raises the question of what will happen after the contractors have left?”

Pretorius questioned who will maintain the park, as in the past the municipality has proven they are not capable of doing so.

“Then the question on everyone’s lips is when is the city going to do something about the hyacinth infestation?” he said.

“In the last few months residents have forwarded me great proposals, ideas and research of different ways to combat the infestation, but the city does not seem to care as the Brakpan Dam is not the only body of water in Ekurhuleni infested with hyacinth.

“I do, however, believe it is the only waterbody currently not receiving any further treatment after the Watermaster machine was removed and millions were wasted in a poor effort to clean the dam.”

Pretorius explained the DA is gravely concerned over the lack of political will and urgency shown by the municipality in dealing with the hyacinth crisis in the city’s dams and lakes, especially the Brakpan Dam.

“Subsequently we have submitted, together with Brakpan residents, a petition for the cleaning and clearing of the Brakpan Dam,” he said.

“We have also, through our representative in parliament, submitted written questions to demand answers from the city.

“Written questions have also been submitted to council to establish answers about the maintenance of the dam and the amount of money being spent.”

The DA has also called on the MMC of Environment and Waste Management, Clr Khosi Mabaso, to meet with residents of Brakpan to assure them there is an action plan in place to combat the infestation and give residents the truth rather than just lip service.

ALSO READ: Tree felling at park upsets residents

“We demand the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, to urgently intervene,” added Pretorius.

“Officials need to be held accountable as they are being paid to resolve these problems.

“Residents are gatvol as it is their tax money that is being wasted.”

Have a story?

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts  (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za

or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za

 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

Remember to visit the Brakpan Herald on the following social media platforms:

Follow us: