The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) entity has responded to concerns raised by a Bryanston resident lamenting the state of the park between St Audley and West Hertford roads in the community.
JCPZ spokesperson Jenny Moodley said on April 10 that JCPZ is aware of the issue of displaced persons, sewage, and invasive species of plants occupying various sites along the Spruit. Moodley added that JCPZ’s responsible units intend to coordinate a multi-stakeholder blitz operation will be confirmed by the entity later.
“This is unfortunately a growing concern for JCPZ, who have been liaising with various departments in the City and across policing structures to assist in containing the problem,” Moodley said. “The blitz operation together with Park Rangers and JMPD, will be scheduled post the rains.”
In addition to a sewage spill, the park is riddled with a myriad of issues: from invasive species of plants and vegetation to the emergent community of displaced persons residing illegally at the park. The spruit also revealed signs that some who illegally reside at the park may be engaged in criminal activities pertaining to the stripping of copper cords.
“The concern of displaced persons in public open spaces is primarily a by-law enforcement matter and where possible, the entity will work with City Power as well to ensure that the operation addresses residents’ concerns. JCPZ’s Integrated Catchment Management Unit is responsible for invasive plant control.
“During the clearing process, an approved herbicide is sprayed by trained herbicide operators around the tree stump to minimize and permanently halt further regrowth of the plant to permanently eradicate these plants.
“The Integrated Catchment Unit will address the clearing during the blitz operation with the rangers, internal operations teams, and volunteers. This unit has a huge portfolio across the city and as resources become available, including the support of volunteers and community-based workers, the unit leads these programmes.”
Johannesburg Water (JW) spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala responded on April 11 to an enquiry issued to the entity on April 3. Shabalala said that JW’s sewage team attended to park on April 4.
“The team began conducting site visits from Monday, April 1, but the problem was not found on the same day,” Shabalala reported. “The team continued with investigations the next two days and the problem was only tracked down and located on April 3.
“Upon investigation, it was discovered that a sewer blockage had occurred,” Shabalala continued. “The blocked sewer water was flowing through a stormwater drain flowing to the parking area of the park. The water was traced backwards from the river, until the point of the blockage. The team found huge tree roots that were causing the blockage.”
Shabalala said that the blockage was cleared by flushing the line using a jetting machine. Shabalala concluded by expressing that there were a variety of factors which led to the delay in attending to issues and repair work.
“One of the factors that add to delayed response times can be due to the nature of the work/repairs that need to be done, the machinery needed, as well as the human labour needed and is available (sometimes, teams might be busy at other work sites).”
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