Residents still battling council over reservoir

A BATTLE between residents of Naturena, south of Johannesburg, and the City of Johannesburg over the construction of a reservoir in the area continues despite a court ruling temporarily halting the project.

The parties submitted a joint draft agreement to the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday April 25 in which it was agreed that the construction of the reservoir be shelved while they discussed the matter.

Construction started in January.

Naturena residents and the metro council have been at loggerheads since earthmoving operations began in February.

Homeowners alleged that their houses were cracking since drilling, excavation and blasting activities started.

They also said they had not been informed of the intention to construct a reservoir that, after investigation, it turned out that it would only benefit residents of the Devland community.

The residents filed an urgent court interdict on April 25 to stop operations.

The following day lawyers representing the homeowners, Tshabalala Attorneys, wrote to the city council ’ s legal representatives saying that the homeowners said the city had placed notices of impending rock blasting, drilling, and excavation.

“We wish to place on record that any such activities will be in contravention of the court order and would amount to contempt of court,” they wrote.

Zola Yeni, a resident, also complained that the continuing activity on the construc- tion site was in contravention of the court order.

The ruling further stipulated that the activities should not take place until May 25, while the parties hold consultative meetings.

Council spokesman Gabu Tugwana said the city had given an undertaking that its appointed contractor, Probuild Construction Group, would continue with concrete work besides bulk earthworks; not proceed with the intended rock blasting, drilling and excavation activities at the reservoir construction site; and stay those activities pending consultation between some of the residents affected by the rock blasting, drilling and excavation.

He said the city would have to complete the consultation process by May 25 and comply with the court order.

Tugwana said it was not known at this stage and was also too early to conclude whether the suspension of the mentioned activities would cause a delay in the completion of the project.

The date of completion is set for December 12 this year.