SEWAGE FLOWING INTO N12 SETTLEMENT MUST STOP

Raw sewage flows from RDP houses at Chief Albert Luthuli Park in the Benoni area into the N12 informal settlement (see picture below). This settlement is near the N12 Putfontein offramp.

I discovered this yesterday when I visited the area as part of the DA's "Don't forget the forgotten" campaign.

This appalling situation cannot be allowed to continue. It is a health hazard that leads to many illnesses.

The sewerage runs in channels and forms puddles where children play. The builder of the RDP houses must be held accountable and should repair the leaking pipes as soon as possible.

I have written to Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane to intervene as the Ekurhuleni Metro Council has not responded to appeals by DA Ward Councillor Refiloe Ntsekhe to fix it (see letter below).

Other distressing things that I found on my visit include:

• A terrible intersection that children at Lindelani informal settlement have to cross to get to school
• Broken taps, low water pressure and queues for water at 3 am at Lindelani
• Poor communication, anger and distrust about council development plans for Lindelani
• Defects in many RDP houses in Chief Albert Luthuli Park
• The plight of Ms Mpho Soul at Chief Albert Luthuli who has deformed hands and can't use the taps in her RDP house, and burns her thighs lighting matches as there is no electricity.
• Frustration at the N12 informal settlement at the slow pace of efforts to move them to a suitable place despite a court order that they were illegally moved there in the first place

The DA will exert pressure to resolve these pressing issues.

Text of letter from Jack Bloom MPL to Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyanye:

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane
Gauteng Province

Dear Premier,

RAW SEWAGE FLOWS INTO N12 INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

I wish to bring your attention to an appalling health and environmental situation in the N12 informal settlement in the Benoni area.

I have seen for myself raw sewage that flows from the RDP houses at Chief Albert Luthuli Park into this settlement.

It appears to me in the first instance that the contractor for the RDP houses needs to be held accountable for this.

If this is not possible for any reason, however, then speedy efforts must be made to do the necessary repair work.

I am bringing this to your attention as the local authority has not responded to this dire situation, and I hope that your intervention can rectify this.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Leader, Gauteng Legislature
Leader of the Opposition

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, February 14 2012

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