Weltevreden council-owned flats to receive some TLC

The City of Ekurhuleni will be attending to some of the long outstanding issues at the council-owned Weltevreden Flats along Voortrekker Road.

Representatives from the city’s Human Settlements Department and the appointed contractors met with Ward 97 Clr Brandon Pretorius on site last Wednesday to discuss the scope of work to take place in the current financial year.

As reported numerous times over the past years, Weltevreden residents have battled with several issues, one of which is the leaking of the aged asbestos roof.

“The roof will finally be replaced. The expected work to take place this financial year speaks of replacing approximately 400sq of roofing,” said Pretorius.

“This will cover the back block of the complex and once completed, will move on to the front portion of the complex building. The expected timeframe for completion is four months.”

Pretorius told the Brakpan Herald the general maintenance of the Weltevreden flats remains in a horrific state.

“Although we have managed to apply pressure on the department to ensure the restoration work starts, the fight will continue to ensure it remains consistent,” he said.

“I am glad to say that some form of dignity will soon be restored to the residents.

“I will continue to fight for the vulnerable and do all that I can to ensure that the current administration will fulfil its duties.”

Another issue plaguing the flats was plumbing problems, as reported by the Herald in our September 13 edition, ‘Leak leaves residents drained’.

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During the Herald’s visit to the flats at the time, water was observed streaming down the road for half a block before draining into a stormwater drain.

A businessman in the area claimed the leak had been a problem for over a year.

If it wasn’t fresh water streaming down the street or causing flooding in front of the flats, it was clogged drains causing sewage to spill all over the courtyard and entryways of the building.

In order to save water going to waste because of the leak, it was reported the water was turned off every night at 20:00, and switched on again in the mornings.

A local business attempted to replace a faulty valve, but two days later the leak reappeared, presumably due to the state of the plumbing.

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One of the residents, an elderly woman who uses a walker, lives on the ground floor where the leak sometimes floods the corridor.

Residents were concerned for her safety, as the flooding was likely to cause her to fall. According to residents, work by the municipality had, in the past, been abandoned before the problem was resolved.

Residents had also reportedly been told the city was waiting for a contractor to be assigned. At the time, CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini denied the leak had been a problem for over a year

“It is not true that this water has been running for over a year,” he said. “However, the city has appointed a contractor to deal with this issue.”

It was confirmed a contractor repaired the leak the same week.