DailySun
Hekpoort – Residents of Hekpoort, especially those with businesses in the tourism and agriculture industries, are urging the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements to cease and dismantle the Dr. Sefularo Reconstruction Development Plan (RDP) housing project.
Opponents of the RDP housing initiative in Hekpoort, a quaint town in Gauteng, are voicing environmental concerns as the primary reason for their objections.
A vigorous debate unfolded between local business owners who are seeking a legal injunction to demolish RDP homes and officials from the Mogale City Local Municipality, who support the project’s continuation.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Gauteng Department of Environment MEC Shyla Peters called for a resolution that would allow the housing initiative to proceed while implementing necessary environmental protections.
She stressed the Gauteng Department of Environment’s dedication to environmental preservation.
Residents previously voiced concerns about sewage being discharged directly into the Magalies River, a critical water source for local communities and livestock.
The water from the Magalies River is also used for agricultural irrigation.
Nevertheless, these concerns were addressed during last week’s briefing regarding the Dr. Sefularo RDP housing initiative.
Lutendo Ndou, the project’s environmental officer, clarified that a packaged treatment system is set up to manage wastewater.
“This is more than just a treatment works system; it’s a comprehensive water treatment package,” Ndou noted, emphasizing its effectiveness in managing sewage.
Ndou assured those present that only safe, treated water would be released into the river at a designated discharge point.
MEC Peters, along with senior managers and compliance officers from the Gauteng Department of Environment, as well as concerned residents, were shown the operation of the package treatment system.
Residents underscored the importance of regular inspections by the site engineer, Mogale City Local Municipality, and relevant authorities to ensure treated water meets acceptable standards.
Funded by the GDS and executed by the Mogale City Municipality, the project aims to construct 270 homes for the homeless, according to a Mogale City official: “These individuals previously worked on local farms but have been displaced.”
The first phase involves building 90 homes, approximately 30 of which are currently at the roofing stage, with one house completed.
In the meantime, the Hekpoort business community, led by a longtime farmer, is preparing to submit a high court order to stop the construction of the RDP homes.
The project briefing was convened following an invitation from Jaco Mulder, Gauteng Provincial Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Agriculture, Environment, and Land Affairs, to MEC Peters for an oversight visit.
During the briefing, MEC Peters was accompanied by senior environmental managers and inspectors from the Gauteng Department of Environment.
The environmental management inspectors evaluated the project’s adherence to the environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The inspectors confirmed that the EIA for the Dr. Sefularo RDP housing project “is valid and that the contracted builder is complying with the specified requirements.”
The business owners in Hekpoort have been actively protesting against the Dr. Sefularo RDP housing initiative for quite some time.
On 11 December 2023, a complaint was filed with the Gauteng Department of Environment regarding a new sewer treatment facility that allegedly presents a risk to the adjacent Magalies River.
However, during the inspection, officials from the Gauteng Department of Environment found no violations.
About the writer: Emmanuel Koro is an internationally acclaimed environmental journalist based in Johannesburg, reporting independently on environmental and developmental issues throughout Africa.
