Video: Busting the ‘myth’ – Ward 14

These little problems are easily fixable yet they fall under the radar of the municipality and residents of the leafy suburban dwellers. DA councillor, Mr Jos Pretorius, spent a few hours in his ward where a serious flood threat is imminent.

• Flood alert: The DA says that basically every storm water drain in the CBD is blocked and that a severe flood risk exists with the rainy season only weeks away. “I doubt whether any drain has been serviced this entire year, look at the number that have collapsed,” Mr Pretorius says.

In the CBD, Kanonkop, Eastdene, Gholfsig and Clubville more than 60 storm water drains are blocked.

With the underground route blocked underground, storm water will be forced towards the Klein Olifants above ground, with potentially devastating consequences. See the shocking VIDEO footage of the impeding disaster on www.mobserver.co.za and decide for yourself.

• A dripping waste: A number of fire hydrants, notably in Cowen Ntuli, De Villiers and the corner of Hospitaal and Macdonald Streets could be observed. Water is pooling up everywhere and no leakage has been stopped.

Some of the hydrants are in an appalling state and it is clear that very little maintenance is being conducted. Many hydrants are also damaged by local contractors who fill water carts with it though they are not meant to.

• Empty stands: Untidy empty stands where construction had begun could be observed, notably in AG Visser, Gustav Preller and Totius Streets.

These open stands will have to be developed within a strict time frame or rehabilitated to its natural state. The area is an affluent one, and the untidy state of the stands threaten the surrounding property values.

• Gholfsig dumping: The koppie behind Gholfsig has always been frequented by youngsters who look out on the town’s night lights, but has evolved into a foul smelling dumping site posing health risks for residents.

Illegal dumping is however a huge problem throughout town and not only restricted to the Gholfsig area. Mr Pretorius will use his council influence to prioritize palisade fencing with strict access control to divide the suburb from the koppie where criminals often lurk, waiting for an opportunity. This will also keep out grazing animals which have become a real hazard around Kees Taljaard stadium, and animals have been found grazing on the koppie and open public spaces in Gholfsig too.

• Merriespruit water channel: It’s overgrown and also a dumping site, posing a further flood risk.