Residents, developers clash
Midrand residents claim ‘bullying’ developers ignore plans and by-laws, burden road and water infrastructure
CONCERNED residents in Midrand and neighbouring areas are facing off with developers of a high density property who they accuse of bullying tactics and a blatant disregard of by-laws.
The group claims the developers are misusing water, over-burdening road and water infrastructure and not adhering to the specifications of approved plans.
Paul Veltman, a member of the Carlswald Residents’ Association, showed the Saturday Star several highrise estates which he claims exceeded the number of approved units.
“Some were approved for 50 units but most end up with over 100. Developers place profits above everything and disregard long-term consequences.”
He said some developers threatened the community when they demanded answers.
“They resort to threats. We are not opposed to development, all we are saying is that development must be within the confines of the law.”
Veltman complained that developers also destroyed the pavements and street lights: “Cyclists and pedestrians cannot use the sidewalk any more. Developers leave them wrecked and nobody is taking accountability.”
The Saturday Star is in possession of email exchanges between the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) and various residents’ associations.
In the emails, Esther Schmidt, the JRA operations manager for traffic engineering, requested an investigation into the alleged conduct of a contractor who closed-off the intersection of Walton and Whisken Streets in July without prior notification to residents.
Construction work on the intersection caused water interruptions for a week, said Veltman.
He said residents felt betrayed by the City as they had not received any further update on the outcome of the investigation from the JRA.
Veltman questioned why the construction and occupation of a sprawling complex was allowed when the R55 (near Kyalami) was not yet fully upgraded, as per the determination in the Traffic Impact Assessment.
The fight between residents and developers escalated a month ago when Rand Water implemented restrictions to mitigate high usage.
The entity reasoned that the supply was higher than the demand.
Veltman said residents complied with restrictions but were frustrated by developers who used water carelessly and sometimes destroyed water pipes to connect illegally.
When the Saturday Star visited Midrand this week various developers had switched on sprinklers at the newly-built estates, despite restrictions.
Veltman said reporting the matter to authorities did not help as they were told the City did not have manpower to police alleged misuse of water.
Public Safety spokesperson Luyanda Longwe responded to alleged water violations: “JMPD comes in after the Joburg Water inspectors have come to establish if in fact there is an illegal connection, then they disconnect, JMPD will then come in to arrest or fine if they don’t continue to comply.”
Rosemary Sandison, a resident in Beaulieu, said officials from mayor Herman Mashaba’s office personally received a memorandum of their concerns about developers who ignored environmental reports when erecting buildings, but failed to reply.
Sandison said that previously, before any development could take place, environmental assessments had to be completed, building plans had to be published and a notice would be issued to residents.
“That does not happen any more. Council does not do due diligence on the developers’ work.
“We see buildings going up all over the place and we are not consulted.”
Sandison said even the comments and recommendations made by Joburg Water and the JRA guiding the building of new developments were ignored.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Vorna Valley Residents’ Association, Marianne Nel, said they would now approach a tribunal to hold developers who flout process accountable.
However, Nel said the process of a tribunal was dragging on while developers were continuing to flout the law.
“These people hire senior counsel to represent them.
“They make us feel like criminals while they are the ones breaking the law. We are just residents. We don’t have money to hire lawyers.”
She echoed Veltman’s sentiment that the infrastructure in Midrand was simply overburdened.
“There are 322 complexes with about 30000 units which were built in six to seven years. Infrastructure has not been upgraded.
“Council said the developers would upgrade when they were done, but all they do is link to the old infrastructure.
“This place is becoming a nightmare.”
Last week the MMC for Infrastructure Nico de Jager told the Saturday Star that the City aimed to replace some 80km of water infrastructure and 43km of sewerage pipelines in this financial year, across the city.