To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 1 councillor, Stanford Slabbert’s newsletter below.
You may contact Ward 1 using the contact form at the bottom of this report.
The Ward 1 Report to the Sector 2 Sub Crime Forum on Wednesday 30 January 2013.
Many thanks to the wonderful Atlas Security team who sponsored the flyers that were distributed over the past weekend. If you did not receive a flyer in your post box, please let us know.
The exorbitant electricity charges are pushing most residents into a desperate financial situation. Coupled with declining service delivery levels, it is not an easy time for everyone. However, we must persevere and report faults / problems and demand proper service delivery.
NMB Service Delivery “War Room”:
John Best and his team continue to do a superb job and they are having a massive impact on service delivery. The call centre, also known as the Service Delivery War Room, is efficient and friendly operators issue a reference number for each complaint, and feedback is provided. Water leaks, pot-holes, broken street lights, electricity problems and blocked sewers are just some of the everyday problems that can be reported, 24/7.
Please report any service delivery problems to 0800 20 50 50.
You can also email complaints or problems to waterleaks@mandelametro.gov.za
Crime in the area: All incidents of Crime must please be reported to 10111.
Walmer SAPS Sector Manager = W/O Andrea Dicker = 082 065 9165. Station = 509 4000.
If NHW patrollers note any problems whilst on patrol, such as leaking water / sewer pipes, or overflowing manholes, or street lights not working, please call 0800 20 50 50. If no progress is noted, please contact Yolande or myself.
Latest trends: Always switch on your alarm, especially when leaving your home, and at night. NHW patrols play a very important part in ensuring community safety, as gangs know which areas are more protected than others. Always be aware of your surroundings. Always be proactive and work together with your NHW team. They deserve your full support!
Gangs are still targeting shopping centre car-parks, using remote devices to block the remote locking of your vehicle. Please always ensure that your vehicle is properly locked before walking away from it.
Robbers are still targeting vehicles at Victoria Drive & Tenth Avenue. Always drive with your doors locked and your windows closed. When stopping at a dangerous intersection, such as Victoria Drive, be alert and leave enough space in front of you to drive off if needed. Keep items of value out of sight, ie. do not have your handbag or laptop on the passenger seat. Spotters alert the robbers and bang – your window is smashed and your items are stolen in a flash. Do not resist, as you will get hurt……….your safety is always more important.
Gangs are monitoring people who withdraw cash at Banks and ATM’s. Many people have been attacked and robbed after being followed from the bank to their destination. Be careful. Be aware. Ensure that you are not being followed. If worried, drive to your nearest SAPS centre. These gangs will stop at nothing. One victim was shot recently in Westbourne Road. Another was followed from Summerstrand to Walmer Park, and beaten up.
Overgrown erven cause many problems:
The following list of overgrown undeveloped erven in Beethoven Avenue, Walmer Heights, has been submitted to the Metro for action to be taken against the negligent owners. Has there been any improvement? It is sad when property owners show no respect to their neighbours and local residents in the area, who have to put up with all the hassles and problems resulting from the overgrown state of these erven. The contact details of the respective owners are as follows:
Erf No.: Registered Owner, Address
- 10632: N.A. Mafiyana, 2 X Beethoven Avenue
- 10633: Christo Steinhamm, 2 W Beethoven Avenuea
- 10640: Anton Swart, 2 P Beethoven Avenue
- 10641: Anton Swart, 2 O Beethoven Avenue
- 10642: Anton Swart, 2 N Beethoven Avenue
- 10643: Anton Swart, 2 M Beethoven Avenue
- 10644: Anton Swart, 2 L Beethoven Avenue
- 10645: Anton Swart, 2 K Beethoven Avenue
- 10646: Julian van Tonder, 2 J Beethoven Avenue
- 10647: Paul Robinson, 2 I Beethoven Avenue
- 10648: L. den Drijver, 2 H Beethoven Avenue
- 10651: S. den Drijver, 2 E Beethoven Avenue
- 10653: Mike Rishworth, 2 C Beethoven Avenue
- 10654: Mike Rishworth, 2 B Beethoven Avenue
A similar list of overgrown erven is to be compiled for the Lovemore Lake area, off Hilltop Road, and Lovemore Heights, where some unsightly overgrown vacant plots do create a crime risk. Hopefully officials will soon be issuing stiff fines if these properties are not cleaned up. If you know of specific properties that are overgrown, please email the details to me.
Boundary Road vlei and related flood problems:
This vlei will remain as a storm-water vlei, but remedial work is being carried out to prevent any further incidents of flooding. The vlei has been pumped to a very low level and all the silt will be removed. The holding capacity of the vlei is to be increased, and the level monitored. Efforts will be made to protect the existing eco-system and bird life, but there might be a temporary period of negative influences while the vlei is excavated.
Engineers are looking at ways to reduce the inflow from Lovemore Heights and direct some of this sheet-water down the Buffelsfontein Road storm-water system. The existing noisy diesel pump is to be replaced by a larger and quieter electric pump. A float system will be installed so that the pump is automatically activated when the level of the vlei rises. Once more information is available, it will be sent out via email. The temporary guard should have been removed many weeks ago and officials are investigating why he is still there.
Problems in the area:
Salisbury Park: Snakes & Dumping &Thefts: If you notice anyone dumping in this area, please take a photo, or take down the vehicle details, and report it to the Service Centre, or my Ward office. Refer to the warning in the annexures! It has also been reported that thieves are stealing cables and electricity boxes. Please keep an eye on the area and call 10111 and 0800 20 5050 if you notice any suspicious activity.
Several reports of venomous snakes have been received, and our Public Health department has been requested to intervene. Please be careful. Keep your children and pets safe.
It is possible that new houses will soon be built in this area and the planned layout of the suburb is attached for info.
Zero Service delivery at Lovemore Lake suburb – Hilltop Road, Theescombe: Metro departments continue to neglect their responsibilities in this new suburb, and several officials have visited the area. To date no improvements have been seen and efforts will continue to resolve the situation. Private land owners are the biggest culprits, as their vacant plots are creating a huge security and health risk for those residents who have developed their properties.
Storm-water remains a major concern: Continued delays in implementing the planned upgrades of the local storm-water systems are cause for major concern. Another major problem, along both Overdale and Edmonds Roads, is that residents have levelled the kerb to create an easier entrance for their vehicles. This creates an escape route for storm-water that is supposed to flow into the roadside drain-pits. This sheet-water then floods through erven lower down the hillside. Most of these kerb alterations are illegal and punitive action is being considered against owners who tamper with the roadside kerbs.
Household garbage being placed on roadside too early: Please note that it is an offense to place your garbage bags on the verge too early, ie. the day before collection. There is a Municipal by-law that will be enforced, see annexures, and your help will be appreciated. Let’s keep our suburbs neat and tidy, and only place the bags on the verge on the scheduled morning of collection. Please report offenders to the Ward office, or JOC.
Sewerage system blockages cause for major concern: Efforts will continue to get senior officials to act and implement projects to resolve this issue. Have you had regular blocked sewers? Please email me with the details, so that all the problem areas can be monitored and included in our efforts.
Illegal Taxi rank opposite Engen garage, Buffelsfontein Road: Despite numerous requests for policing, the traffic hazards, u-turns, congestion, pollution and the environmental concerns remain a major problem at this illegal site on Buffelsfontein Road. Efforts will continue to resolve these matters, as motorists and pedestrians are being placed in danger, on a daily basis, by these negligent and irresponsible taxi drivers.
Arlington Landfill site: I encourage residents to utilise this facility, but please continue to exercise caution. Please let me know how you find it. Is it now more user friendly?
Traffic Matters:
Please report illegal activities / speeding hotspots to the Metro Call centre at 041 – 585 1555. When you call in a complaint, request a reference number, so that progress can be tracked.
Speed Hot-spots, where speed monitoring has been requested, include: Seaview Road / Buffelsfontein Road, on the crest at Longmeadow Estate. Buffelsfontein Road, between Longmeadow and Melsetter Road. Boundary Road, between Cyril and Milkwood Avenue, past the vlei. Any others? Please let me know!
Speed humps have been requested for Merle Road, where it intersects with Blumberg, as well as the cul-de-sac of Blumberg Road. Evidently motorists speed in this area, and many children play in the street. Please email me comments, support or opposition, soonest.
Speeding buses are often reported. If you note a bus just stopping anywhere, or speeding, please make a note of the date, time, place, and the bus fleet number, and report this info to Yolande. We will forward complaints to Algoa Bus.
Do you stop dead at stop streets? Remember that it is a R1000 fine if you ignore a stop sign!!!
Traffic volumes have increased along Melsetter Road, and speeding is also a problem. It is proposed that a traffic circle be installed at the intersection of Melsetter and Edmonds Roads. Do you agree? Please let me have your feedback.
Housing and Land matters:
- Erf 3062, Lovemore Heights. Unfinished building at 63 Greenways Road. Overgrown plot: Building Inspectorate have been requested to seek a demolition order. This property is a mess.
- Erf 3327, Lovemore Heights: Edmonds Road. Issues with both the actual dwelling, and the new driveway, and fence, continue.
- Erf 81, Emerald Street, Mount Pleasant: Vacant plot, covered in bush and debris. The Building Inspectorate and Public Health have served notices on the owner to comply.
- Erf 2372, Theescombe, alongside railway line at Heatherbank Road. The heaps of soil have created serious dust problems over the past 18 months, and officials have served notices.
- Erf 3507, 3 Schubert Road, Walmer Heights: Overgrown and abandoned building. The owner has defied a recent Court Order, and officials are investigating further action.
General matters:
Victoria Drive is very dangerous, especially at night.
Most street Lights have been completely stolen along the length of Victoria Drive and at night sections of the road are in complete darkness. Cable theft is rife and there are no short-term solutions. Cattle are often being herded along this road, at night, and motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution when using this road, especially after sunset. If you notice any suspicious activity, please contact 10111 or the Service Delivery JOC.
Ward 1 IDP plan:
It is time to review our existing Ward Plan. Please send comments and or suggestions to Yolande by 10th February. All submissions will be collated and a revised Ward Plan will be presented at a Public Participation IDP meeting to be held on 14th February, from 6pm to 8pm. The venue will be advised once finalised. Please try and attend this meeting.
Ward 1 Committee:
This Residents Association still needs to be represented on my Ward 1 Committee, so we must identify one person from this area, to be nominated for this position. Who is available? If interested, please send me an email, or call me. Our next meeting will be towards the end of February, 2013.
Please contact myself, or Yolande, if you have any complaints, or if you need any assistance with Ward related issues.
Kind Regards
Cllr Stanford Slabbert
Ward 1.
041 – 581 7390 and 082 9900 907
Ward Report Back
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Ward1
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