New Modder sewer infrastructure update
by Cllr. Sinethemba Matiwane — DA Councillor in Ward 73, Ekurhuleni
Date: 03 September 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
In 2018, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni slammed the failing ANC and its coalition partners* over the complete collapse of service delivery in New Modder, Benoni, in Ward 73.
Frustrated residents reached out to the DA, calling for our intervention and assistance after having reported raw sewerage in their yards and flowing down the streets for over three years and have received no assistance from the Department of Water and Sanitation, despite escalating this matter through the appropriate channels.
In September 2019, the DA submitted a people-driven petition on behalf of Ward 73 residents, petitioning the ANC-appointed MMC of Water, Sanitation and Energy, Cllr. Tiisetso Nketle, to urgently upgrade the sewer system in New Modder, Benoni. This comes after the DA’s ongoing engagement with the New Modder community.
Following much pressure from the DA, the Department of Water and Sanitation has heeded our call to address this pertinent issue and they have responded as follows: “The Department is currently working on a project to phase out Rynsoord sewer pump station, which will alleviate the sewer flows within the New Modder sewer network. The sewer pump station will be phased out by connecting to a new Apex Extension 12 Outfall Sewer which is being implemented by Human Settlement Department. According to our model, the existing sewer infrastructure has more than 30 % spare capacity which will increase after Rynsoord sewer pump station has been phased out. At this point, there are no plans to upgrade sewer network in New Modder”.
While this is a step in the right direction, sewer is continuously erupting in New Modder, which is a massive health hazard for the community. The residents continue to report the matter and have accumulated countless reference numbers for overflowing sewerage, which is in urgent need of attention. The ANC and its coalition partners* have lost touch with the people on the ground, resulting in the community bearing the brunt of living in unhealthy and unsanitary conditions which infringe on their rights to a safe and healthy environment.
This lacklustre approach when it comes to failing infrastructure by the governing party is completely unacceptable and the DA will monitor the current construction of the sewer pipeline to ensure it is completed on time. Residents are also urged to continuously report sewer overflow to 0860 54 3000 and forward their reference numbers to the DA Ward Councillor for further escalation.
The DA in Ekurhuleni will keep fighting for these residents because they, too, deserve to live with dignity.
#Time4Change
*ANC Coalition Partners: African Independent Congress (AIC), Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)
Cllr. Sinethemba Matiwane
DA Councillor in Ward 73, Ekurhuleni
