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CoE Attributes Blame to Illegal Mining
The City of Ekurhuleni has identified suspected illegal mining as the root cause behind the obstructed sewer systems in Snipe Street, Mackenzie Park North. This revelation emerges in response to residents’ allegations of municipal indifference, prompted by the distressing consequences of raw sewage inundating their surroundings, including yards, streets, and a community garden situated at the juncture of Snipe Street and Quail Avenue.
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Lodging numerous complaints with the metropolitan authorities, residents have decried a lack of action, a sentiment exacerbated by the overpowering stench of raw sewage permeating the environment, leading to detrimental health implications. The gravity of the situation is exacerbated by reports that the sewage has overflowed from drains and exposed manholes, creating a crisis with far-reaching consequences for the community.
Acknowledging the issue, the municipality has conceded its awareness of the recurrent nature of the blockages following their purported resolution on both June 21 and July 1. According to the spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), Zweli Dlamini, the obstruction in the manholes has been attributed to the insertion of several stones, an act believed to be carried out by illegal miners. Dlamini further expounds that these unauthorised miners not only inserted the stones but also dismantled the manhole covers strategically, diverting the water flow into their illicit mining activities.
One resident, a long-standing inhabitant of the area since 1992, is contemplating relocation due to perceived municipal inaction, despite dutifully fulfilling rates payments. Expressing the collective sentiment, he laments the blocked drains and the absence of assistance, hinting at the impending departure of several residents similarly disheartened by the lack of resolution.
While acknowledging the role of ‘zama zamas’ (illegal miners) in this predicament, the resident posits that the CoE is exploiting the notion of illegal mining as a veneer to conceal financial constraints. His viewpoint suggests a perception of the municipality’s strategic prioritisation, where financial limitations overshadow the community’s urgent infrastructural needs, particularly regarding sewage, cable theft, and illegal mining.
Amid this contentious landscape, Dlamini, the CoE spokesperson, implores residents to report any illicit mining activities in the vicinity to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Counteracting the frustration and perceived inadequacies of law enforcement, another resident contends that the gravity of the situation necessitates more robust intervention. He advocates for military deployment, citing escalating gunshots and explosions during nighttime hours. Expressing scepticism towards the effectiveness of the police force against the audacity of these miners, the resident calls for the army’s intervention, reflecting a perceived need for more authoritative measures.
The saga of sewage blockages in Ekurhuleni’s Snipe Street, Mackenzie Park North, encompasses various facets – from municipal responsiveness and residents’ disillusionment to the covert activities of illegal miners. This intricate narrative underscores the multifaceted challenges facing the community, intertwining environmental hazards, perceived official inertia, and socioeconomic implications. The proposed solutions, ranging from heightened reporting mechanisms to potential military involvement, illuminate the community’s search for a meaningful resolution to this escalating crisis.
Source: Illegal mining to blame, says CoE
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Photo: Supplied by Benoni City Times
