BCM to build R7m vandal proof fence at major dam

Drowning tragedy sparks action

BUFFALO City Metro has committed to build a new multimillion-rand “vandal proof” fence for the Umzonyana Dam in Scenery Park after yet another child died there in February.

The decision follows the community’s request that a high security wall be erected around the facility. Ward 5 councillor Zandisile Tokwe filed the request as a motion of exigency (urgent need) in council in March.

Responding to the community’s plea, acting city manager Bob Naidoo told the council last month that the metro’s department of infrastructure was now in the process of trying to install a new type of security fencing after the “community” vandalised and stole the fence that had been erected by BCM.

Access to the dam, where the metro conducts its water treatment works, is not restricted.

Concrete pillars are the only proof there was once fencing around the dam. Naidoo said: “The cost of the security fencing is approximately R7-million and is included in the upgrading of Umzonyana Water Treatment Works programme.”

Naidoo said the new planned fencing was “believed to be vandal proof”.

“The tender for the installation of this security fencing around Umzonyana dam is at the bid adjudication stage and is expected to be awarded in April 2017,” Naidoo had said at the time. BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said the project would be launched on June 8, and is expected to start the following month. However, exact dates will only be known when the contractor has submitted his construction schedule.

“It is reinforced clearview security fencing.

“This type of fencing has been proven to be vandal proof as it is very difficult to climb on it or cut it,” Cindi said.

Tokwe said he welcomed the report in council, but it was not clear when the work would start or if the R7-million would be set aside in the current financial year or the next financial year.

Scenery Park resident Nosipho Gellem, 44, whose child drowned in the dam, told the Dispatch in March that 12-yearold Ovayo Gellem had “vanished in the water”.

A distraught Gellem said the community needed a very secure wall to make sure children were safe.

BCM infrastructure portfolio head Ncedo Kumbaca said the fencing was part of a multi-year upgrade project of the Umzonyana Water Treatment Works (WTT).

“We are busy finalising the process of appointing the contractor. The official launch of the upgrade of the Umzonyana WTT will be done.

“According to our programme the contractor will be on site before the end of this month,” Kumbaca said. —