Latest news with #ChantelleFourie-Shawe
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Illegal dumping causes infrastructure damage
Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe was alerted to a serious issue involving a burst manhole near the infamous Greymont Bridge on August 7. She stated that the situation has escalated to a public health concern, as raw sewage was reportedly bubbling up and flowing downstream, even reaching private property on Stellenberg Road. 'It's a health hazard and a disgrace.' Read more: Burst manhole spews sewage near Greymont Bridge She emphasised that this incident highlights a troubling reality: The infrastructure in Johannesburg is crumbling before our eyes. 'This is symptomatic of a greater issue in the city regarding the administration's failure to prioritise maintenance and repairs.' Fourie-Shawe expressed her frustration over the deteriorating state of the city's infrastructure, stating that such incidents are a constant reminder of the challenges she faces in her role. Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the blockage near the Greymont Bridge, which was cleared on August 8, was caused by illegal dumping and the damaging effects of foreign material entering the system. Such materials, like mattresses, rags, fats, oils, grease, and silt, obstruct pipes and damage manholes, leading to significant operational disruptions and the potential for long-term structural harm. Residents reported to the publication that displaced individuals are purposefully putting large objects to clog pipes. Shabalala explained that even something as simple as a mattress can immediately block up to 100% of a pipe's capacity. 'This accumulation of waste creates conditions where rags, grease, and debris get trapped, leading to full blockages. This not only hampers sewage flow but also causes upstream surcharging, which can result in dangerous sewage overflows.' Residents are urged to properly dispose of waste to prevent these costly and harmful consequences for the city's water infrastructure. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
08-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Burst manhole spews sewage near Greymont Bridge
On August 7, Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe was alerted to a serious issue involving a burst manhole near the infamous Greymont Bridge. The situation has now escalated to a public health concern, as raw sewage is reportedly bubbling up and flowing downstream, even reaching private property on Stellenberg Road. 'It's a health hazard, and a disgrace,' Fourie-Shawe stated. Read more: Pollution and sewage threaten Westdenes waterways The councillor was informed about the manhole burst by one of the civic organisations that monitor the rivers in the area. She emphasised that this incident highlights a troubling reality: The infrastructure in Johannesburg is crumbling before our eyes. 'This is symptomatic of a greater issue in the city, regarding the administration's failure to prioritise maintenance and repairs.' Fourie-Shawe expressed her frustration over the deteriorating state of the city's infrastructure, stating that such incidents are a constant reminder of the challenges she faces in her role. 'When I see this, this is what I always think about. This is why I am here, and why I fight.' She added that Johannesburg Water was alerted about the issue, sending an operations manager to assess and investigate the root cause of the repeated failures, so that repairs can take place. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
