Another Tshwane mayor promises to fix Centurion Lake debacle
Centurion Lake flooding has been problematic for businesses and residents of the area.
“Great progress” has been made in the municipality’s R60-million project to clean up the Centurion Lake, according to Tshwane mayor Randall Williams.
Williams made the remarks during his annual State-of-the-Capital address last week.
He is the most recent mayor who promised to fix the Centurion Lake issues and ensure that flooding could be prevented during the rainy seasons.
This year’s rainy season brought tragedy to Centurion, bringing about flooding that resulted in the deaths of four people, one of whom was found near the Centurion Lake.
Over the years, the Centurion Lake’s flooding left nearby roads covered with water, making it difficult for motorists to drive through and this year some lost their lives while trying to cross flooded roads in February.
“We embarked on this intensive lake maintenance programme last year already when we ensured that there would be a sufficient budget available for this work in the 2021/22 financial year.
“I am pleased to report that great progress has been made. Levels of silt and sand that accumulated over the years have been reduced to improve the flow of the river,” he said.
The lake’s flooding and bad smell have also hit surrounding areas. These meant financial implications for the Centurion hotel.
Williams said the project has ensured that the smell around the lake abated, adding that “we intend to continue finding cost-effective means to properly maintain the lake”.
Aside from the lake, Williams said the metro would prioritise the refurbishment of the electricity infrastructure in Centurion.
The Kentron power substation was among the stations the municipality would upgrade.
Williams said the metro planned the development of a substation for later this year that would support the Kosmosdal substation.
“Furthermore, the metro has also applied to have a 300MVA new infeed substation in the area to support local data centre load requirements.
“It is no secret that our electrical infrastructure is aged. It has become vulnerable, easily catching fire and regularly breaking down. This is a matter that we identified as needing urgent intervention,” Williams said.
The key focus on maintenance of Sunderland Ridge wastewater treatment plant, Williams said was part of the municipality’s plan to upgrade key infrastructure.
“It is a standing commitment to ensuring that we cut grass, patch potholes, repair water leaks and fix streetlights. We are facing significant backlogs in parts of the city which we are tracking. The heavy rains over the last few months have significantly damaged our infrastructure,” Williams said.
As more sinkholes continue developing in Centurion, Williams said the municipality has thus far fixed four sinkholes.
Tshwane opposition political parties have slammed the municipality’s power substations refurbishments plans for this financial year, saying they appear to “only be aimed at affluent areas and not poor areas”.
“The refurbishments of the stations, although they are critical, are biased toward the affluent areas,” said ANC Tshwane caucus leader Frans Mokgokela Boshielo in reaction to Williams’ annual address.
Williams gave his speech on Thursday, detailing the municipality’s plans to upgrade the Pyramid, Kentron, Wapadrand, Mooikloof and Rosslyn substations.
Boshielo said the municipality’s electricity refurbishments did not cater for poor communities.
“There are critical needs in terms of upgrading electricity for poorer communities. In Nellmapius, some houses need electricity but he said nothing about it,” Boshielo said.
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