SAHRC issues statement of requirements to deal with Norkem Park Pan

Ward Clr Tracey Lourenco and her Birch Acres residents have approached the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) regarding the lack of urgency to address the Norkem Park Pan issue.

Lourenco supplied Express with a letter from the SAHRC, dated June 1, which stated a list of demands stipulated to the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) after a meeting was held in May.

SAHRC legal officer Thenjiswa Jonas wrote: “We confirm that a joint inspection in loco at the Norkem Park Pan consisting of the SAHRC (the commission), officials from the Ekurhuleni Municipality (the city), and the complainants, was conducted on May 26.”

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She elaborated the following that had been observed during the inspection: “The Norkem Park Pan water level had gone down; however, some houses and the church still had parts of their yards submerged under water. Raw sewerage, as a result of what appears to be a damaged sewer reticulation network, is still spilling onto some residents’ backyards.”

Jonas added that properties whose yards were partially submerged in water had damp floors that resulted in the formation of mould.

“Furthermore, there was evidence the mould and the continuous submersion of the properties in water had affected and/or was affecting the structural integrity of these properties, specifically those properties situate closest to the pan.

“That the municipality, as a way of a temporary measure to drain the water out of the pan, had installed some form of mechanism consisting of two floatation controlled drainage systems.

“However, as a result of the low levels, the system was not functioning. The other floatation device appeared to have been vandalised, as such it was not working.”

Jonas also acknowledged there are Eskom pylons submerged in water and that officials from the city’s water and sanitation department were on site working to resolve the sewer issue in the area.

The legal officer said a short meeting was convened following the walkabout inspection in loco with all stakeholders present

The following was resolved at the said meeting:
• That the Norkem Park Pan issue is included in the city’s budget for this coming financial year as such the issue will be attended to.
• That the city would provide the commission with a report highlighting the short- and long-term plans it has put in place to address the issue of draining the water out of the pan.
• The city will request the services of a geologist who will be able to analyse and draft a report concerning the continuous rise in underground water in the area.
• The city will convene a meeting with Eskom to discuss the submerged pylons.

“In light of the above, the commission kindly requests the city furnish us with a report highlighting the short- and long-term plans to address the issue of the rising water levels at the pan. Kindly provide us with the said report within seven working days from receipt hereof.”

This letter was addressed to the following departments of the city:
• Kemi Behari – divisional head municipal courts, by-law enforcement and compliance Ekurhuleni Municipality
• Sizwe Cele – dead of Department of Roads and Stormwater Ekurhuleni Municipality
• Immanuel Bantom – project manager Department of Roads and Stormwater Ekurhuleni Municipality
• Frank Phahlamohlaka – Department of Roads and Stormwater Ekurhuleni Municipality

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