The excitement and interest sparked by the metro’s upgrade of the Germiston Lake is being tainted by an unsightly situation taking place just down the road.
This is not the first the GCN has heard of the “new residents” who have made their home under the Germiston Lake bridge.
The two men living under the bridge seem to have made themselves completely at home, lighting fires to cook food and keep warm and also doing washing on a daily basis, hanging their clothes on the palisade fencing or laying them across the grass.
Residents in the vicinity have growing concerns, as the area surrounding this settlement is becoming increasingly dirty, due to litter and various other waste materials.
Another concern is where the residents are expected to perform their toilet duties at this point of their new homes’ development.
Further concerns from residents focus on the sight that greets visitors as they travel to
Germiston Lake.
They are faced with unkept gutters, broken down fences along the railway line, unfinished road works and damaged pavements, and now the establishment of the “new residents” making their home under the bridge.
The residents of Germiston and, in particular, the areas surrounding Germiston Lake want to know what is going to be done and look to the metro to address their growing concerns.
The GCN spoke to Chris Swanepoel, ward 36 councillor, to find out what is being done to address the problem.
Swanepoel said: “I am confident that all the issues mentioned will be sorted out soon, as all the officials involved in this project have committed to making the problems mentioned a priority in their respective departments.”
Swanepoel said the following matters are being attended to:
- The fencing surrounding the railway line:
Swanepoel said he was trying to make contact with the department and/or person in charge of the railway lines, as it their duty to maintain the area surrounding the railway, including the fencing.
- Road markings surrounding the Germiston Lake:
The road markings are being repainted so that they are clearly visible.
Clearly marked sign boards will also be erected to help drivers navigate the roads.
- The “new residents” under the Germiston Lake bridge:
There are many departments involved in the relocation of these vagrants.
The solid waste, health and housing departments, as well as the EMPD, are attending to this situation.
This process takes time, as the vagrants cannot simply be chased away from their current location, even though their occupancy under the bridge is illegal.
The EMPD went to Germiston Lake on September 10, with the intention of removing the men, but they were unable to do so and the matter was then passed on to the housing department, as the vagrants need somewhere else to go before they can be removed from their current site.
Solid waste has taken on the task of cleaning the area under the bridge; this includes the catchment pit.
The CPF of Lambton also offered their assistance in cleaning up the area
Once the clean-up process is completed the whole area will be closed off completely, to avoid a similar situation from happening again.
Only a select few people will have keys to access the area.
Swanepoel added: “I will continue to visit the various sites to ensure the work is being done, and that it is being done to standard.”
