Public MeetingDate: 21 February 2019

Venue: Stone Haven on Vaal, Vanderbijlpark

Website: erpa.co.zaFacebook: Emfuleni Ratepayers AssociationEmail: info@erpa.co.za

ERPA - Introduction

The Emfuleni Ratepayers’ Association NPC (ERPA) is a non-profit company that was

constituted in 2010 registration No:2010/015918/08

The ERPA enterprise grew rapidly since March 2018, when new committee

members entered the fray, with a view to set up a Public/Private Partnership

(PPP) with the Emfuleni Local Municipality, aiming to improve the state of critical

municipal services and infrastructure in Emfuleni (posted on Web site and on FB)

Initial focus was on refuse removal. However, momentum dramatically increased

due to media exposure of the dismal state of the Vaal River eco-system, being

polluted with raw sewerage flowing directly into the river from trenches dug by

the Emfuleni Local Municipality, and overflowing pump station's as a result of

defective sewerage plants. The media flocked to the area, providing significant

coverage of the problem

So, why are we here?

Progress Summary

What have we done thus far

PPP – Deliverable Presented but no action from ELM/Council

MoA – Signed Sep’18 and multiple meetings held

Inspection process developed and added to ERPA Website

Procrastination by ELM resulting in zero support

Media Exposure

Telvision, Radio Broadcasting, Newspapers & Social Media

HRC, COGTA, GTCOC OUTA, eNEWS

VCR, IFM

Reporting

Vuvuzela Hotline, Green Scorpions, DWS, Metsi a Lkoa

Civil Action Launched

ERPA Committee Structure

Kobus Janse van Rensburg - Chair

Mari Myburgh – Vice Chair

Stefan Olivier – Treasurer

Anke van der Skyf – Liason Officer Community

Liezl Viljoen – Liason Officer Media

Gerhard Janse van Rensburg – Program/IT

Mike Brucher – Strategic Assets

Chris Viljoen – Health, Safety & Environment

The ELM Problem

Refuse Removal – Chris & Liezl

Sewerage – Chris & Liezl

Electrical Infrastructure & Strategic Assets – Mike (Inspection Process)

NERSA – Kobus

ERPA pp - Kobus

Website Walk-through

Van Riebeeck Road in front of High

school Carel de WetImpact to Community:• Children exposed to Raw

Sewage

• Gastrointestinal disorders

• Raw Sewage running into

storm water systems ending

up in the Vaal River

Actions Taken: • Reported to Green Scorpions,

Local DWS & Provincial DWS

• Attempts were made to

criminalize the neglect of

critical municipal services.

Feedback:• Reference number was

received from Vuvuzela

Hotline

• SAP, State Prosecutor & Senior

State Prosecutor refused to

take the statement or to open

a docket

Emfuleni Golf Estate – Greenbelt &

Manhole overflowingImpact to Community:• Raw Sewage overflowing on

Private Property

• Community being exposed to

Amoebic dysentery, Cholera &

Giardiasis

• Raw Sewage running into the

sprout which ends up in the

Vaal River

Actions Taken: • Reported to Green Scorpions,

Local DWS & Provincial DWS

• Attempts was taken to report

the environmental crime to

the SAP.

Feedback:• Reference number was

received from Vuvuzela

Hotline

• SAP, State Prosecutor & Senior

State Prosecutor refused to

take the statement or to open

a docket because SAP does

not have an competent

investigator in Environmental

Crime Affairs

National Water Act - No 36 of 1998

(Assented to 20 August 1998) 20 Control of emergency incidents

(1) In this section “incident” includes any incident or accident in which a substance -

(a) pollutes or has the potential to pollute a water resource; or

(b) has, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on a water resource.

(2) In this section, “responsible person” includes any person who -

(a) is responsible for the incident;

(b) owns the substance involved in the incident; or

(c) was in control of the substance involved in the incident at the time of the incident.

(3) The responsible person, any other person involved in the incident or any other person with knowledge of the incident must, as soon as reasonably practicable after obtaining knowledge of the incident, report to -

(a) the Department;

(b) the South African Police Service or the relevant fire department; or

(c) the relevant catchment management agency.

(4) A responsible person must -

(a) take all reasonable measures to contain and minimize the effects of the incident;

(b) undertake clean-up procedures;

(c) remedy the effects of the incident; and

(d) take such measures as the catchment management agency may either verbally or in writing direct within the time specified by such institution

Incidents/Impacts Reported To:

Vuvuzela an independent service provider for Environmental Affairs. All

reports goes through Vuvuzela, where after we write a report and send it

through to Environmental Affairs for investigation. Green Scorpions is part of

Environmental Affairs

Pump Station 16 – Mario Melani DriveImpact to Community:• ELM Contractors have to

navigate through oceans of

sewage to get to the pump

station

• Exposed manholes covered by

sewage – potential drowning

hazard

• Employees being exposed to

Amoebic dysentery, Cholera &

Giardiasis

• Raw Sewage being channelled

deliberately into the Vaal River

Actions Taken: • Reported to Green Scorpions,

Local DWS & Provincial DWS

• National news coverage

Feedback:• Reference number was received

from Vuvuzela Hotline

• Reference number was received

from DWS and they later stated

that it was resolved – NOT TRUE

Pump Station 16 – Mario Melani DriveImpact to Community:• Illegal Refuse dumping site

sprouting up overnight

• Security Guards having

inadequate PPE and

complaining about illness and

having to visit Clinics often

Actions Taken: • Reported to Green Scorpions,

Local DWS & Provincial DWS

Feedback:• Reference number was

received from Vuvuzela

Hotline

• Reference number was

received from DWS and they

later stated that it was

resolved – NOT TRUE

Sharpeville CemeteryImpact to Community:• Manhole overflowing for 3

Years – Not 3 Days Mr. EM

• Community cannot pay

respects due to sewage

exposure

Actions Taken: • Reported to Green Scorpions,

Local DWS & Provincial DWS

Feedback:• Reference number was

received from DWS

High-School Vanderbijlpark Impact to Community:• Burst sewage pipe underneath

the Rugby Field

• Students unable to partake in

spots activities

• Students being exposed to the

effects of this contamination

Actions Taken: • Reported to Green Scorpions,

Local DWS & Provincial DWS

Feedback:• Reference number was

received from Vuvuzela Hotline

• Reference number was

received from DWS

• Actions to repair is still in

progress 3 months later

High-School Vanderbijlpark

Pump Stations Summary – 31 July 2018

Emerald Casino Pump station

Pump station 16 – Mario Melani

Pump station 40 - Riverspray

Pump station 17

Pump station 4 &A – Sharpeville

Pump station 2 & 2A Abattoir

Leeuwkuil Water Treatment Plant

2km Leak from Sebokeng to Rietspruitwater works

Rietspruit – Abandoned Pipeline by contractor - Stephanopark

Pump station 34 inside Leeuwkuil

Pump station 29 Market & SAB

Pump station – Sonlandpark

Impact to Community:

Emerald – Effects Tourism – Supposed to have 24 hour manpower at the station to clean screens and maintain – Contractor abandoned Pump station due to non payment

Wildlife being exposed to raw sewage which ends up in their drinking water

Pump station electrical equipment stolen or drowning in sewage

Some of the Pump stations do not have security – Open access – Children being exposed to sewage and drowning

Screens are not being cleaned – Causes damage to pumps

Fencing and Gates damaged or non-existent

Open manholes covered with sewage – drowning hazard

Paid security staff not on site - wasteful expenditure

Failure to perform to design

Emfuleni employees having to work in these conditions are not issued with proper PPE or Safety Harnesses when working in elevated areas

Actions Taken:

Reported to Green Scorpions, Local DWS & Provincial DWS

Feedback:

Reference numbers was received from DWS and some cases was closed but it’s not repaired to standard

Recommendations

Leveraging Continual support such as mandates received for the MOA

Acquiring mandate for the PPP (Refuse Removal)

Immediate replacement of incompetent ELM Carder appointments

External Forensic Financial Audit

External Occupational Health & Safety Legal Compliance Audit

Accountability – Legal prosecution if found wanting

Contingency Plans to be developed

Refuse Removal Problem

Photo Description Hazard/Risk Consequence

Refuge ending up in

storm water

systems

Water Pollution - Stray

dogs or garbage diggers

tear open refuge bags

placed on sidewalks on

or next to drains and

the refuge falls into the

drains causing the

garbage to flow into the

storm water system.

Surface water

contamination: waste

that ends up in water

bodies negatively

change the chemical

composition of the

water.

Some of the concerns (Hazards and Risks) Identified in the SE3 areaThe photos were taken on 18 May 2018. The waste was supposed to be removed on 17 May 2018. Some of the

bags are already damaged after only one day. Waste not collected within the normal time frame or even

shorter periods of time will pose unacceptable Safety, Health and Environmental problems

Refuse Removal Problem

Photo Description Hazard/Risk Consequence

Diaper waste Methane exposure

Explosive gas

Flammable gas

Poor health.

Water pollution

Fires

Disposable diapers have been implicated by diapering proponents like leak proof polymers, super absorbent polymers and some scented

chemicals which are the key factors for everything from chronic diaper rash, respiratory problems like asthma, male infertility even to

testicular cancer. Another concern is that viruses excreted in a baby’s faeces could end up leaking into local water supplies. According to the

Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program, landfills are known for producing greenhouse gas emissions, which can contribute to the

earth’s climate changes. Decomposing diapers release methane into the air. High concentrations of the gas can be explosive and flammable.

Methane is also dangerous to breathe in because it replaces oxygen.

Chemicals - A guide published by the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia cites a study reported in the “Archives of Environmental Health” which found that diapers release volatile organic chemicals. Toxic chemicals such as toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene

and dipentene have been linked to adverse health effects in humans with long-term exposure. The inner absorbent layer of a disposable

diaper is also treated with chemicals, which can trigger allergic reactions. Disposable diapers often contain dyes and dioxin, which is formed

as a by-product of the chlorine bleaching process. Dioxin is a carcinogen, which means it can cause cancer. When released into the

environment, the toxin can accumulate in humans and animals.

Dispute Form

Impact to Community:

The driving force behind the dispute process is to assist the community in channelling "extremely high emotions" towards rational, constructive and professional conduct in addressing your grievances, and in so doing prevent violent community protesting that will lead to the destruction of our infrastructure that we so wish to protect.

To not fall into the violent protest trap we urge you to start using the dispute form attached hereto for the very purpose of lodging your dispute for whatever legal issue you might have due to the lack of service delivery.

It is our mission to assist the Ratepayers of Emfuleni in any way within our legal confines.

By using the dispute form the community receives immediate relief of the monthly payemt of refuse removal

Website: https://erpa.co.za

Substation Failure @ VUT Sports Fields

January 24, 2018

Williene Uys

VANDERBIJLPARK - The Emfuleni Local Municipality

has issued an announcement, apologizing for the

recent power outage in parts of Vanderbijlpark.

They stated that the neutral earth compensator

at the Vesco substation completely burnt out early

yesterday morning. The areas which are affected

are the areas surrounding Macro, President Hyper

and the Vaal University of Technology. A

contractor is currently on site to start with

repairs, and power is expected to be restored by

this afternoon.

Substation Failure Chopin Str. SW5July 14, 2018

Impact to Community:

• Severe lack of Maintenance lead to the burn out off the complete busbarassembly.

• Three days of losses to businesses and residents

Actions Taken:

• Strategic asset survey proposal developed

• MOA drafted and approved

• Action plan for survey completed for use with mobile device interface

Substation FailureAugust 17, 2018

Liezel van der WaltVEREENIGING - The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) says it is expected that a mini

substation will be delivered in Peacehaven, Vereeniging, this morning. This comes after a

recent power outage in the area due to the substation being burnt, which resulted in

protest action by residents. Emfuleni said this mini substation will be used to provide

temporary restoration of electricity to affected streets in Peacehaven. The permanent

solution will be a complete rebuilding of the substation via the insurance claim. According

to the municipality, the insurer conducted an assessment of the damages yesterday

morning and began a process of seeking quotes to rebuild the substation. Emfuleni said the

claim will still be processed and approved once all documentation is processed. The mini-

sub and its installation components will cost ELM approximately R1 million, and it is

envisaged that work will commence by tomorrow morning at the latest. ELM apologized for

the inconvenience to the affected residents, and also about the delays in providing a

temporary solution. An update is expected to be provided by midday today. The cause of

the fire to the substation is yet to be determined.

Power and water supply interruption in Vanderbijlpark due to hail storm

November 20, 2018|Williene FullerVAAL TRIANGLE - The Emfuleni Local Municipality saysthere is a power supply interruption affecting Bonanne,Stephanopark, Bophelong and Vanderbijlpark CW 1 to 6areas. The municipality says this is due to a hailstorm thathit the area last night which damaged the Town MainSubstation. The power outage has also affected theVanderbijlpark water reservoirs responsible for water tohigher-laying areas of the municipality, which includes theCBD, CE, CW and parts of NW area. The municipality says itis working promptly to resolve the issue, but due to theextent of the damage no estimated reconnection time canbe given yet. The Sub Station and its installationcomponents cost ELM approximately R5 000 000,00excluding the donation of the roof from Fanie de Jongh

Strategic Asset CareImpact to Community:

• Unlocked Substations being used by vagrants as processing plants for rubbish they collected

• 11,000V Transformers open and exposed to the public

• Theft and vandalism can lead to explosions rendering the community in the close vicinity powerless

• Finacial losses to businesses and residents

Actions Taken:

• Strategic asset survey proposal developed

• MOA drafted and approved• Action plan for survey in

design phase with mobile device interface

ERPA Website

Thank You / Enkosi / Kea Leboha /

Ngiyabonga / Asante / Dankie

Website: erpa.co.za

Facebook: Emfuleni Ratepayers Association

Email: info@erpa.co.za