CANDOC - Residents Complaint

Letter from concerned a Emmerentia Resident addressed to the editor of the Northcliff  Mellville Times:

Mr Jacques Clifford
News Editor
Northcliff Melville Times

Dear Sir

Dabulamanzi our local not so DAM FINE canoe club

I have lived in Emmarentia close t o the Dam for the last 19 years. During this period Dabulamanzi have on numerous occasions and continue to raise a finger to and abuse the authorities, the residents, various stake holders and their immediate neighbours namely Normal Air and Emmarentia Sailing Club.

I won't go into the history but the latest finger to all concerned is their "canoe basket ball arena"

I would like them to answer the following questions as according to Oscar
Olifant this morning

And I quote

"Dear All

According to officer Rahube there is no structure in any water bodies in Bot
gardens.

Regards

OSCAR"


1 Did they do an environmental impact study.

2 Did they consult with any other stake holders - i.e. City Parks, JRA, Johannesburg Property company, Sailing Club, Normal Air, Friends of the botanical gardens, ERA and residents.

3 Who did they approach for permission to put this structure on the dam (public open space) and who authorised it.

4 Has it actually been submitted and or approved by City Council or Parks.

5 What plans did they submit and to whom, and is the structure safe - is there an engineers certificate.

6 Is it legal to erect structures on waterbodies particularly when it interferes with the right of way of others who use the water.

7 Have they considered that they may have made a pool and by laws could be infringed ie. Does it need a net, a 24 hour alarm and a fence.

8 They have obstructed a long standing right of way of all the sailors who use the dam

9 Have they made provision for any freely available life saving equipment

10 People who walk on it should be provided with and wear life jackets

11 Why have they not erected safety signage

12 Why have they not kiddy proofed it

13 And finally please tell me that Lotto does not have worthier causes than financing a playground for an elite few and for an unheard of sport.