The days of heavy rains causing floods are once again upon us. The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has once again called on Mogale City Local Municipality to upgrade the storm-water drainage systems because every time it rains heavily, there is flood at Chief Mogale – part of Extension 6 in Ward 11.
The News recently published an article under the headline Resident tired of Vaal Dam in his back yard in the 23 February edition
Eric Macheke was quoted saying: “When it rains I can’t even enter the yard with my car; I have to leave it outside until the water level has dropped. On top of that, my garage floor used to be cement, but with the water flowing directly into it, it’s just mud now,” he said.
Macheke is spot on. I want to advise him that he is not alone in this mess. In Chief Mogale, the storm-water drainage is built so poorly that the heavy rain water occupies houses.
The problem with the storm-water drainage in the township is the lack of regular maintenance, as well as repairs. Our storm-water drainage is not of a high quality. This is a problem.
Just few months ago, we mourned the death of a four-year-old child who drowned in heavy rain water in Boiketlo Street in Ward 6. The accident happen when the heavily flowing water dragged the child from her mother as they were coming from the nearby creche.
If our township storm-water drainage systems were properly built, we wouldn’t have experienced this horrible accident.
Ward 11 councillor Jerimiah Molibatsi Jim, known as ‘Bishop’ and his Ward Committee members together with the twin Sanco structures: Maki Legwete branch Ward 11 and Mogale City Zonal Team, including the branch of the ANC are seeking a solution to the problem.
The soft-spoken councillor Jim, who is known for his activism, conducted ward block meetings at TVS Jordan Crescent Park, the Lutheran Church in Mahura Street and at Chief Mogale Hall.
We believe that these initiatives will put storm-water drainage systems maintenance into the coming budget.
