Representative moved to declare the Strubunvale area in Springs as a disaster zone, as sewage continued to flow from broken pipes enventually ending up in the blesbokspruit.
The aim of the meeting was originally to discuss Erwat,s recent filters crisis, which forced the ancor sewage works traetment plant to pump partially treated water into the environment. With Erwat recent replacement of one of three broken filters,eliminating the need for the resultant overflow. Erwat estimated that 50 milliom litres of sewage had escape from the pipes in the past week,prompting outrage from the residets, who heatedly questioned the Metro for its slow response to a pontetial ecological disaster, Councillor Andre du plessis, together with the ward councillor Shadow Shabangu and pr councillor Jackie Reilly, summed up stance on the issue, requesting that the situation be declared a disaster to free up Metro tender processes. Mechanism must put up in place to disinfect or contain the situation for sake of drinking supply, ecological systems in the Blesbokspruit and the health of residents around park, Meanwhile, chemical samples taken from the spruit by the quality section last week,as well as chemical and bacteriological samples taken last week were still being analysed. The environmetal heath directorate says that this could be predicted that the incident will have significant effect on water quality, further recommendationts by the (EHD) include the involvement of the environmental management wing of the Metro,s Department ot Environmental Development, the cleaning of solid mass fromWilhemina park and to prevent the leakage of sewage from connections on the temporary pipes.Acting metro spokesman Justice Mohale says that temporary solutions proved in effective, as tenporary pipes could not accommodate peak flow, promting the installation of a second temporary pipe.
For a permanent solution it will be neccessary to replace both lines with 550mm diameter steel lines with new supports on both sides,Due to the fact that is a specialised project, it requires proper planning and design.The metro promised to treat the matter with urgency and a meeting will be held soon.
The residents of Strubunvalle are still breathing the dirty air and their evironment is still being polluted. Something drastically must be done the community of this place
Kwa thema evironmental org
MESHACK MBANGULA
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Economic blow for Springs
The whole country is trying by all means to increase job opportunities, but in Springs which is having high number of unemployment which resulted in high rate of crime, is doing the opposite.
Ringrollers a mojor manufacturer and exporter of forged rail tyres that has operated in Springs for almost 40years, has been forced to leave S[rings due to council red tape. Established in 1972 on two hectare property in selection park industrial area. The company identified a need to expand in 2005, to meet increasing demand for its products, including forged rail tyres for locomotive industry and flanges for petrochemical and industrial sector.They negotiated for the undevolped land directly across from its current site in pienaar road, ideal for itd goal, the company aproached real estate agency iProp, owner of the land, for possibility of building extra facilities.With the land not being zoned for industrial devolopment at that time, iProp initiated a rezoning process with the Metro.
Years of red tape, including a moratoruim on council owned land before and after the 2010 fifa world cup to prevent foreing land grabs,envetually saw the company looking somewhere on the eastrand for suittable land, based four non negotiable criteria.Unable to find suitable land on the eastrand, the company looked further afield,indentifying a pontential site, incidentally, next to parent company DCD Dorlby, along the R59 Vereening highway in 2009,the site was ideal. however, at the tlme , the owner told them that he planning to develop thethe land into mini factories.After two years later, was suprised by the owner inviting an offer after all an opportunity that the company did not have to think twice about, and the sale was formalised in August 2010, all along they tried to talk to Springs Metro about the avalable site in Selection park and they failed.
They say that the company, having been established and grown to Springs, would have been preferred to stay in its hometown, particularly for the sake of its workforce. They first choice was to stay in Springs but lack of cooperation from the metro has forced them to seek property elsewhere.The company is currently employing 180 people, and the company has already arrange for emplyees daily to and from Springs,to lessen the burden,while others are considering relocation to Vereeniging.
Attemps to secure interview with mmc fotr city planning and economic development Bennet Nikani through the metro, however no further communication had been received from metro media, we are still trying to secure a meeting with them, to make sure a bad thing like this does not happen again.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Ringrollers a mojor manufacturer and exporter of forged rail tyres that has operated in Springs for almost 40years, has been forced to leave S[rings due to council red tape. Established in 1972 on two hectare property in selection park industrial area. The company identified a need to expand in 2005, to meet increasing demand for its products, including forged rail tyres for locomotive industry and flanges for petrochemical and industrial sector.They negotiated for the undevolped land directly across from its current site in pienaar road, ideal for itd goal, the company aproached real estate agency iProp, owner of the land, for possibility of building extra facilities.With the land not being zoned for industrial devolopment at that time, iProp initiated a rezoning process with the Metro.
Years of red tape, including a moratoruim on council owned land before and after the 2010 fifa world cup to prevent foreing land grabs,envetually saw the company looking somewhere on the eastrand for suittable land, based four non negotiable criteria.Unable to find suitable land on the eastrand, the company looked further afield,indentifying a pontential site, incidentally, next to parent company DCD Dorlby, along the R59 Vereening highway in 2009,the site was ideal. however, at the tlme , the owner told them that he planning to develop thethe land into mini factories.After two years later, was suprised by the owner inviting an offer after all an opportunity that the company did not have to think twice about, and the sale was formalised in August 2010, all along they tried to talk to Springs Metro about the avalable site in Selection park and they failed.
They say that the company, having been established and grown to Springs, would have been preferred to stay in its hometown, particularly for the sake of its workforce. They first choice was to stay in Springs but lack of cooperation from the metro has forced them to seek property elsewhere.The company is currently employing 180 people, and the company has already arrange for emplyees daily to and from Springs,to lessen the burden,while others are considering relocation to Vereeniging.
Attemps to secure interview with mmc fotr city planning and economic development Bennet Nikani through the metro, however no further communication had been received from metro media, we are still trying to secure a meeting with them, to make sure a bad thing like this does not happen again.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
sprui of sewage in Springs
Staggering stench enveloping Strubunvale in Springs and surrounding areas is getting out of hand.
Springs is a smaal town in the east of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni. Strubunvale is one of the suburbs Springs.
Strubunvale has had problems in the past from the companies like Zincor, bad smell from the chemicals and they were polluting blesbokspruit as well, Community fought with the company ang the matter was resolved.Now they are faced sewage discharge which is causes a staggering stench smell which is unbearable at the same time polluting blesbokspruit.
Accopanying Pretoruis and Havinga, from Ancor works sewage treatment plant, the two showede how semi clean sewage water is being discharged inti the surrounding envinment, what the told us is that they are having issues with the pumps and filters, forcing them to discharge into the environment because the remaining equipment cannot cope with the load. Aresident on the waterfront of the blesbokspruit, which has been affected by the sewage discharge,Said imagine what its like to wake up with the strong smell of sewage in your nostrils every morning everyday its frustating, something must be done and it must be done quickly.
Blesbok runs past this establishment, which most of the sewage water flows to it. one guy the name of which he asked to be withheld for fear of affecting his bussiness further, indicated that the have been cmplaining about thi nothing happen its been a month now. Wanda henning spokeman for the Eastrand water company, which runs the sewage treatment plant, confirmed that the plant was expriencing techical problems, they are currently taking emergency measures to see to the replacement and repair of faultly bio filters, The absence of which creates an overflow that the remaining equipment cannot handle the discharge water is not raw sewage as it has been subjected to the first phase of the process.
The authorities of department of water affairs visited he plant last week and gave a go ahead to treat the overflowing water with calcium hypo chloride, which they say will not affect plant and animal life in the sensitive ecological systems of the protected blesbokspruit, while diminishing the resultant smell.
Its expected that the new custom built filter to be installed by friday, while plantis in place to refutbish and repair the remaining filters in the meantime, when the filter is installed there will no longer be a need for the overflow and smell and all the water will go through the regular treatment process.
Since we have meeting monthly a follow up will done to make sure everything is fixed, claen for community
Kwathema monitor
MESHACK MBAGULA
Springs is a smaal town in the east of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni. Strubunvale is one of the suburbs Springs.
Strubunvale has had problems in the past from the companies like Zincor, bad smell from the chemicals and they were polluting blesbokspruit as well, Community fought with the company ang the matter was resolved.Now they are faced sewage discharge which is causes a staggering stench smell which is unbearable at the same time polluting blesbokspruit.
Accopanying Pretoruis and Havinga, from Ancor works sewage treatment plant, the two showede how semi clean sewage water is being discharged inti the surrounding envinment, what the told us is that they are having issues with the pumps and filters, forcing them to discharge into the environment because the remaining equipment cannot cope with the load. Aresident on the waterfront of the blesbokspruit, which has been affected by the sewage discharge,Said imagine what its like to wake up with the strong smell of sewage in your nostrils every morning everyday its frustating, something must be done and it must be done quickly.
Blesbok runs past this establishment, which most of the sewage water flows to it. one guy the name of which he asked to be withheld for fear of affecting his bussiness further, indicated that the have been cmplaining about thi nothing happen its been a month now. Wanda henning spokeman for the Eastrand water company, which runs the sewage treatment plant, confirmed that the plant was expriencing techical problems, they are currently taking emergency measures to see to the replacement and repair of faultly bio filters, The absence of which creates an overflow that the remaining equipment cannot handle the discharge water is not raw sewage as it has been subjected to the first phase of the process.
The authorities of department of water affairs visited he plant last week and gave a go ahead to treat the overflowing water with calcium hypo chloride, which they say will not affect plant and animal life in the sensitive ecological systems of the protected blesbokspruit, while diminishing the resultant smell.
Its expected that the new custom built filter to be installed by friday, while plantis in place to refutbish and repair the remaining filters in the meantime, when the filter is installed there will no longer be a need for the overflow and smell and all the water will go through the regular treatment process.
Since we have meeting monthly a follow up will done to make sure everything is fixed, claen for community
Kwathema monitor
MESHACK MBAGULA
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Pholosong hospital in Tsakane
Pholosong hspital is in Tsakane tonwship which in the east of Johannesburg in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni Metro. The hospital is at the entrance and exit of Tsakane area.Pholosong is a hospital which is having 12 wards incuding, surgical ward,TB ward, Maternity ward and children ward. Each ward accomodate 40 patients, all in all it accomodate 600 patients.Pholosong is faced with the problem of four township, which are, Kwathema popualtion of about 45000 people, Tsakane population of 56 000 people, Duduza population of 39 000, and Guleksdal 31 000.
Pholosong supposed to be bulid according to the population of these four township not only one, because when it was moved from Polark park in Springs, one of the reason that it was small and far from the people,Did it really solve that problem? NO.
Pholosong is faced with more patient than expected some have to sleep on the floor because of the seriousness of their condition the is no more beds for them sleep on. Secondly the are patient that get treated and send home everyday, thirdly what they out patient who are given dates for checkup and medicine.
Doctors and Nurses because of the number of patient to attend to they are overworked and fatigue takes over, somebody who is fatigue can make mistakes which can be fatal.
The Goverment suppose to build hospital that have the resources as well enough accomodation for the people of that area.The manager could not release the number of patient they lose or die day because of classified information. Most Doctors live because of the condition they are working under, which creat more problem for the hospital and the people.Sick and injured patients wait for a long time to see to attendet to by the Doctor because the hospital is overloaded and nobody is doing athing about it.
We will be having a meeting with local Goverment on the 27 July concerning this issue,and hopefully take it to the next level wher desicions are made.The Goverment is busy building walkways all over the place and what about the the health of the people. people before profit, health comes first and the rest. The problem is that the people who are suppose to look after these issues they Medical aids so they dont go to these Goverment hospital to see what happening and try and bring a solution to it. Civil society must stand up and fight about this matter, so that their children will have better facillities and hospitals. Awareness and education on this issue is a key to better Kwasadutsa.that is kwathema, tsakane, duduza and gulksdal.
Kwa thema Monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Ekurhuleni enviromental org
Pholosong supposed to be bulid according to the population of these four township not only one, because when it was moved from Polark park in Springs, one of the reason that it was small and far from the people,Did it really solve that problem? NO.
Pholosong is faced with more patient than expected some have to sleep on the floor because of the seriousness of their condition the is no more beds for them sleep on. Secondly the are patient that get treated and send home everyday, thirdly what they out patient who are given dates for checkup and medicine.
Doctors and Nurses because of the number of patient to attend to they are overworked and fatigue takes over, somebody who is fatigue can make mistakes which can be fatal.
The Goverment suppose to build hospital that have the resources as well enough accomodation for the people of that area.The manager could not release the number of patient they lose or die day because of classified information. Most Doctors live because of the condition they are working under, which creat more problem for the hospital and the people.Sick and injured patients wait for a long time to see to attendet to by the Doctor because the hospital is overloaded and nobody is doing athing about it.
We will be having a meeting with local Goverment on the 27 July concerning this issue,and hopefully take it to the next level wher desicions are made.The Goverment is busy building walkways all over the place and what about the the health of the people. people before profit, health comes first and the rest. The problem is that the people who are suppose to look after these issues they Medical aids so they dont go to these Goverment hospital to see what happening and try and bring a solution to it. Civil society must stand up and fight about this matter, so that their children will have better facillities and hospitals. Awareness and education on this issue is a key to better Kwasadutsa.that is kwathema, tsakane, duduza and gulksdal.
Kwa thema Monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Ekurhuleni enviromental org
Monday, 27 June 2011
Acid mine Drainage reaches Nigel
Nigel is small town situated in the east of johannesburg, ekurhuleni. The township is called Duduza with the population of about 35000 people and high number of unemployment as well as high rate of crime and rape.
Grootvlei mine is Springs near Paynville in the Eastrand yet a distance of about 22ks to Nigel.Since Aurora is failing to keep the pump running, now the water have start to overflow to Blesblogspruit. The effect of the removal of the last of pumping equipment at grootvlei shaft three pumoing station on febuary7 seem to have finally surfaced. Gold focused developoment company called Goliath gold,created through the reverse aquisiont of public company white water resources bt goldone. In our meeting on 18th June 2011 concerning water quality. they reported that it was forced to halt operation at Sub nigel mines shaft one, used primarily as a training centre to bring gold gold one flagship moddereast operation to full production, Goliath gold said that anticipated rising waterr levels, brought about by lack of pumping from grootvei shaft three, theatened Safety of emplyees as well as polluting the spruits around including blesblogspruit.Commuty of infomal settlement of Ramaphoso used the water from blesblogspruit to wash cook, but the are not aware of the danger that the Grootvlei mine has created. The Goliath Gold said they expect the water level to reach critical levesl bt august and is consigering the plugging of shaft one to preseve future use of under ground water assets Grootvlei mangement company Aurora. Thami Maseko indicated that the company is faced with more than problem, so the company is trying to protise. I ask about the life of people who are noy aware of the danger of acid mine drainage. He said that one of the things they are trying to raise the communities. Du plesiss told us Aurora failed to proof that they run the mine now they are facing liquidation. Aurora fail to produce sbmit the document in time the case will heard unopposed on july 7 in the north Gauent high court. All these problems, they are not bringing solution to polltion of water which is danger to the people of Duduza. I spoke to the Dumu Mkhonza spoke person for councillors about the acid mine drainage caused by Grootvlei mine and the danger that they are facing as well.He will organise a meeting soon for and the communty affected.
MESHACK MBANGULA
Kwa Thema monitor
Grootvlei mine is Springs near Paynville in the Eastrand yet a distance of about 22ks to Nigel.Since Aurora is failing to keep the pump running, now the water have start to overflow to Blesblogspruit. The effect of the removal of the last of pumping equipment at grootvlei shaft three pumoing station on febuary7 seem to have finally surfaced. Gold focused developoment company called Goliath gold,created through the reverse aquisiont of public company white water resources bt goldone. In our meeting on 18th June 2011 concerning water quality. they reported that it was forced to halt operation at Sub nigel mines shaft one, used primarily as a training centre to bring gold gold one flagship moddereast operation to full production, Goliath gold said that anticipated rising waterr levels, brought about by lack of pumping from grootvei shaft three, theatened Safety of emplyees as well as polluting the spruits around including blesblogspruit.Commuty of infomal settlement of Ramaphoso used the water from blesblogspruit to wash cook, but the are not aware of the danger that the Grootvlei mine has created. The Goliath Gold said they expect the water level to reach critical levesl bt august and is consigering the plugging of shaft one to preseve future use of under ground water assets Grootvlei mangement company Aurora. Thami Maseko indicated that the company is faced with more than problem, so the company is trying to protise. I ask about the life of people who are noy aware of the danger of acid mine drainage. He said that one of the things they are trying to raise the communities. Du plesiss told us Aurora failed to proof that they run the mine now they are facing liquidation. Aurora fail to produce sbmit the document in time the case will heard unopposed on july 7 in the north Gauent high court. All these problems, they are not bringing solution to polltion of water which is danger to the people of Duduza. I spoke to the Dumu Mkhonza spoke person for councillors about the acid mine drainage caused by Grootvlei mine and the danger that they are facing as well.He will organise a meeting soon for and the communty affected.
MESHACK MBANGULA
Kwa Thema monitor
Friday, 10 June 2011
Deforestation in Kwathema Ekurhuleni
This project ts desgned to capicitate the communities regarding deforestaion by Mines and other big companies without rehabiltating the landwhich causes soil erosion and deserttification.the trees or the forest help to keep the crcon into soil, by deforestaion, they cntribute in reasing the cabon dioxide into the aartmosphere which affect the climate negatively.Vlakfontein Mine which have left half deserted places near Kwa thema and not secured as no danger signs. did not rehabitate the land.Commuties did not have a say or not aware of the of the destruction which was caused it was apartheid era .Now that we know, they are gone no where to be found, poor community is now their resposabilty to fix the problems of the mines without resources. the area im talking about is between kwathema and pollark park. The areais left with tail[ngs sand which contains acid and other metal aswell very little that grows there, even if grows its contaminated. The problem is that, the hostel community some of got cows that feed on this grass which is contaminated as well as the that flows through the place and these owners are not in informed.These cows are going to sold to people. I spoke to Samson from Veja org concerning the problem, he indicated that are having a meeting with the Ekurhuleni Goverment officials concening the sampling of the water by the independent for better results, and i will part of the team, this willhappen on the22 of june, the Ekurhuleni concern enviromental org(ECEO) gathered together to come with a plan to compel the local goverment to rehabilitate the are, secondly, capacitate community about the importancy of planting the trees and their advantage tp health and enviroment.These strategic options when implemented together would allow kwa thema to achieve better developd transformed area which was des\royd by mines. With the severe weather events, droughts, floods and others, planning and implementing is crucial.,trees help green house gas sinks, they absorb rather emit carbon and thus have an important mita\igation role.Afforestation will be good results.The goverment must ontroduce targeted education programmes that focus on the relationship between thecommecrcial fprestry section and conrvationsector to ensure biological diversity is not compromised and that resience to climate risksis increased.
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
Kwa thema is in the east of Johannesburg called Ekurhuleni, poulation of about 45 500, high rate of unemployment.During the mining period in the eastrand. Mines removed the trees near the township for dunping
Kwa thema monitor
MESHACK MBANGULA
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