Residents blame GMM for flooded houses
The stormwater drains could not hold the high volume of water after recent heavy rains, resulting in the flooding of homes.
According to residents, if the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) had regularly maintained and cleaned the drains, it could have prevented the flooding or ensured it caused less damage.
The Ridge Times visited the Cosmosrand area near JH Hofmeyer and Kleynhans streets, where residents, who did not want to be named, recently gathered to express their frustration at the GMM’s lack of service delivery.
One resident said he cleared two stormwater drains a few years back and pulled out heaps of rubbish, but the problem, he said, is the pipes leading from the drains to the streams in the green strips and the GMM doing no maintenance.
“The GMM needs to open these drains feeding our streams,” he said.
The resident said scavengers dig and rip open rubbish bags in the field, leaving the rubbish lying around, and that and the overgrown reeds contributed to blocking the drains.
“We need the GMM’s help. These drains are a major problem and need to be sorted out.”
Residents said this was the worst flooding they had experienced in the area.
“We do not get the service from the municipality we pay for,” said another resident.
The flooding damaged two houses. Although the costs have not yet been calculated for one homeowner, he said the damage already exceeds R100 000 without the additional costs to accommodate him and his family elsewhere.
The second homeowner’s damage is about R80 000.
“We had to hire a storage container for the furniture we could save and then had additional costs of a removal company to take it to the storage,” said the second homeowner.
On January 15, a resident recorded 7ml of rain, which caused the road to flood because of the blocked drains.
Residents are urged to be proactive by:
• reporting blocked drains. Monitor nearby stormwater drains and report any blockages.
• Join clean-up efforts. Get involved in clean-up initiatives for the creek and surrounding areas.
• Spread awareness. Talk to your neighbours about these issues and urge them to help maintain the community.
Responding to media enquiries, the GMM’s spokesperson, Donald Green, said the GMM did a multi-departmental assessment in several areas in its three regions to assess the damage and its impact on communities.
“The municipality acknowledges the level of damage suffered and sympathises with all businesses and households that lost things or suffered because of the rain,” said Green.
He said the assessments sought to implement short-, medium- and long-term measures in response to the floods.
“As an immediate solution, teams are unblocking and clearing blockages and repairing and reinstating damaged roads and stormwater infrastructure.
“The municipality remains committed to working with all stakeholders, including the business sector, to help and provide relief to affected communities,” said Green.
He said the GMM will communicate developments with residents through ward councillors, media and official social media platforms.
