DA welcomes Multi-Party Coalition’s interventions to improve water infrastructure on Korsmans Drive

by Cllr. Mary Goby — DA Councillor in Ward 28, Ekurhuleni

Date: 28 April 2022

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni welcomes interventions by the Multi-Party Coalition in the Korsmans Conservancy in Benoni given the neglect of the facility under the previous administration, led by the ANC-coalition government.

The lack of maintenance or repairs to infrastructure within the Conservancy, which is designed to facilitate water flow in the Pan, is now at a critical level of disrepair. The sewerage pump has not been fully operational, and with no spares available, water levels have reached unprecedented levels resulting in flooding onto the adjacent road known as ‘The Drive’. The recommended water levels should be 20 meters inside the fence, as a result of the heavy rains, all the manholes servicing the Conservancy are underwater. Unfortunately, this flooding is having an adverse effect on the rich plant and birdlife of the area.

The previous appointed contractor removed the pump that was used to drain water from the Pan in 2019, meaning that the area has not been properly drained since 2016. When drainage does occur it runs alongside the golf course in Divot Street under Lakefield Avenue and finally into Middle Dam. Due to the recent heavy rains and the lack of drainage from the Pan, the golf course has to make inconvenient provisions to ensure that drainage flow is not interrupted. This drainage is having the effect of flowing into Benoni’s other dams and contributing to their respective water levels, leaving them in danger of overflowing.

As the Ward Councillor, I escalated the issue to the MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, Cllr. Senzi Sibeko, as well as the MMC for Infrastructure, Cllr. Themba Kalipa, who subsequently ensured the installation of a pump to help alleviate the raised water levels. While these pumps are running smoothly, the only major issue we are currently experiencing is related to load shedding. When the power is cut the pumps have to be switched on again by the contractor who is unable to come out during the evening meaning the pumps are only switched on in the morning. The other major issue is the amount of rainfall we have had over the last few weeks rendering water levels the highest they have been in a number of years. This means it is going to take longer to reduce the level of the water to the required 20 meters inside of the fence.

While storm water drains around the Pan are failing, there are plans by the Department to increase the height of a particular manhole, which will facilitate better drainage. Of further concern, the Department of Water and Sanitation found rags blocking the sewerage pipes. In this regard, residents are requested to please assist the Department by refraining from throwing foreign objects into the drain, and report any untoward behaviour to the Ekurhuleni Call Centre at 0860 543 000

With these interventions, residents can expect the state of the Conservancy to dramatically improve following years of neglect from the previous administration. The DA is pleased with the immediate reaction and intervention by the Multi-Party Coalition in Ekurhuleni and the urgency in which it is addressing these issues.

Cllr. Mary Goby

DA Councillor in Ward 28, Ekurhuleni