Long wait for road repairs
"Because of the City’s neglect, Main Reef Road has basically completely collapsed and the occupants of Plastic City have now taken advantage of the road closure and further expanded their illegal activities."
While illegal mining has plagued the area surrounding the Plastic City informal settlement for years, zama zamas have used the closure of Main Reef Road to seriously get down to business.
A section of Main Reef Road was closed in November to allow for repairs of another large sinkhole in the road – itself a result of illegal mining activity in the area.
The road’s closure has, however, allowed the already brazen illegal miners to go about their work completely undisturbed and large holes have been excavated.
Without action from the authorities, this may continue for months as, according to the City of Ekurhuleni, repairs to the road will only be conducted in the new financial year.
“Budgeting on projects start in July of the current year to May of the following year,” said City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
READ: Main Reef Road to be closed for repairs
“The reconstruction work needed on this section of the road is not part of the budget for this financial year.
“The current financial resources are very limited considering the negative impact that the City is experiencing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The department will, however, include this project as part of the budget for the following financial year, 2021/2022.
“Therefore, the repair work can only take place in the following financial year.
“Furthermore, the department is investigating alternative sustainable engineering solutions to repair the works and deter any future damage to the road assets.”
When asked what measures the municipality will take to prevent ongoing digging by the illegal miners, Gadebe explained tougher law-enforcement interventions are required.
“It is in the best interest of the Roads and Stormwater Department to ensure that the City’s assets are protected and to ensure safety of the road users at all times,” he said.
“Roads and stormwater systems include the City’s assets that the department is responsible for.
“The department has, however, provided an alternate route to accommodate the current traffic until a viable solution is determined.
“In order to prevent any form of digging activities in the area, tougher law-enforcement interventions would have to be done.
“The matter has been submitted as part of further discussions with senior management.
“This is considered as part of a sustainable solution-driven collaboration between departments.”
Brandon Pretorius, DA councillor for Ward 97 in Brakpan, told the Herald the current situation is a result of the municipality turning a blind eye to the problem.
“The DA in Ekurhuleni holds the administration and the officials of the City directly accountable,” he said.
“The City has not only failed the residents of the settlement but has failed the residents of Brakpan as a whole.
“I have on numerous occasions since 2016 warned the City and its administration about the negative impact that the actions of the occupants of Plastic City have on themselves and the surrounding areas.
“Because of the City’s neglect, Main Reef Road has basically completely collapsed and the occupants of Plastic City have now taken advantage of the road closure and further expanded their illegal activities.
READ: Another hole on Main Reef Road gives councillor that sinking feeling
“One can see on a daily basis how infrastructure is being damaged and or being stolen, affecting ratepaying residents within the surrounding areas.
“Due to the ignorance and reluctant attitude of the municipality and other authorities to assist with these matters I am afraid to say that immediate action is needed from authorities before residents take matters into their own hands.”
He added that he has yet again escalated the matter and that DA member of parliament Ashor Sarupen has written to both the Minister of Mineral Resources as well as the Minister of Human Settlements for their urgent intervention.
“Sarupen has requested that the Department of Mineral Resources secures the area and immediately prevent any further illegal mining to ensure that the damage to the surrounding area as well as Main Reef road gets halted,” said Pretorius.
“He has further requested that the Department of Human Settlements takes drastic steps as it is clear the City of Ekurhuleni needs to be instructed to do their work.
“The Department must ensure the City takes steps to secure the necessary relocation of the individuals living in the settlement to suitable, safe, alternative accommodation, and that such steps include an eviction order of the court if necessary and that the existing occupied land be secured from further occupation as it is unsuitable for human settlement.
“The City of Ekurhuleni and its officials need to realise that their neglect and unwillingness to do their work will come to an end.
“The wasting of taxpayers’ money will come to an end. The residents of Brakpan demand it.”
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