Elandsfontein demand services

Elandfontein residents are forced to live with leaking sewage behind their backyards weeks after reporting the issue.

The Dassie Street residents have voiced their concerns regarding the unsolved health hazard. Previously GCN reported on these issues and nothing much has changed.

The Pienaar family is still troubled by the manhole inside their backyard that has been overflowing since last year August.

Another concern was that street lights are not working.

Yvonne Tswai demanded that the mayor and the councillor visit the area because they are being told lies by the ward leadership.

“If the council knows that there are people who have connected power illegally why don’t they disconnect them?” said Tswai.

Kade Guerreiro, Ward 92 councillor, said the city’s Environmental Resource and Waste Management Department has started cleaning and removing waste as often as possible.

“Department of City Planning has been requested to formalise back yard rooms. The city needs to conduct upgrades to infrastructure and the Department of Energy will focus on the removal of all illegal connections,” he said.

Sewage

“The Dassie Street problem is an ongoing issue. The Environmental Resource and Waste Management Department comes weekly to Elandsfontein to unblock both the sewage system and stormwater drains,” said Guerreiro.

“The issue is the illegal connection into the stormwater drainage. Notice letters have been issued to those causing the problem,” he said.

Streetlights

Guerreiro said the city is faced with the challenge of finances to fixing the street lights.

“As the ward councillor, I want to ensure that the whole of ward 92 has working streetlights. For Elandsfontein it might be a slight challenge as illegal connections also play a factor,” said Guerreiro.

Crime

“Elandsfontein falls under the Bedfordview SAPS and like all other stations they are operating under strain,” said Guerreiro.

“SAPS recently made an unannounced visit during which they removed illegal alcohol and unlicensed firearms. I do hope to see more visibility and joint operations with EMPD to enforce by-laws going forward.”

Re-blocking

“A request has been submitted to the Human Settlements Department and this will take time as the city has 119 recognised informal settlements.

“Some of which are among those seeking re-blocking. I will continue to push for the funding of re-blocking in Elandsfontein,” said Guerreiro.

Metal theft and security

“Metal theft is out of control and affects many wards throughout the city. I am working towards ensuring that SAPS works together with EMPD to enforce by-laws,” said Guerreiro.

“I also appeal to residents to report infrastructure theft. An example of what happens when we work together is the uncovering of illegal copper around Marlands in recent weeks by the Primrose SAPS,” said Guerreiro.