No bus depot in our hood - residents

27/08/2015. Construction of a bus depot continues at Cuprapark in Bronkhorstspruit where it is alleged that the City of Sthwane demolisehd a recreational centre in the area to make way for the depot. Picture: Bongani Shilubane

27/08/2015. Construction of a bus depot continues at Cuprapark in Bronkhorstspruit where it is alleged that the City of Sthwane demolisehd a recreational centre in the area to make way for the depot. Picture: Bongani Shilubane

Published Aug 31, 2015

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Pretoria - Residents of Cultura Park in Bronkhorstspruit have vowed to never allow the City of Tshwane to construct a bus depot in their neighbourhood without a fight.

The campaign against the project is being spearheaded by Simon Ravhuhali, chairman of the Cultura Park Residents Association.

The city council has extended its bus service to Bronkhorstspruit and surrounding areas.

“In June we saw the activity in the area and we asked the contractors what they were doing and they told us they were building a bus depot for the city,” Ravhuhali told the Pretoria News.

However, city spokesman Lindela Mashigo said the construction was more of a parking space for the buses than a fully-fledged depot and was a temporary measure.

He said residents were consulted and this was an ongoing process. The group of people who were against this had been interrupting the meetings every time they were organised, Mashigo said.

“At least three public meetings were organised and two of those disturbed by the Cultura Park Residents Association,” said Mashigo.

Ravhuhali said the first time they had heard of the project was when their recreational centre was demolished in favour of the depot.

“The recreational centre was the only place where our children could play and be safe.

“It was also a place where we could sit and relax,” he said.

The area has about 300 residents but no shops, a park or any form of entertainment nearby.

Other than a school, the neighbourhood is home to the Nan Hua Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Africa. The association approached ward councillor John Masombuka and had a meeting with him about the project. He confirmed that a depot was being built, Ravhuhali said.

“Our gripe is that they never consulted us about this. We need to make it clear that we are not against the bus service, but don’t want a depot at this location.

“The main concern is that this is a residential area and a depot belongs in an industrial area.

“There is going to be an increase in crime; any busy area attracts crime. This depot is right across the street from houses. This will devalue all our homes.”

The residents took to the streets and marched to their municipal office early in August where they handed over a memorandum addressed to services and infrastructure MMC Jacob Masango.

“He promised to give the memorandum to the executive mayor, but when we called his office we were told it was never received.”

Ravhuhali said they then had a meeting with MMC for Roads and Transport George Matjila last Monday. Things went well and a follow-up meeting was scheduled for Wednesday.

“We were on our way to the meeting when we got a call saying it had been cancelled. “We later staged a five-hour sit-in at the MMC’s Hatfield offices.

“We have exhausted every avenue possible to sort out this issue. We will end up escalating this to either the office of the Gauteng Premier or Public Protector Thuli Madonsela,” Ravhuhali said.

But Mashigo said: “It is untrue that demolition has taken place, as there have just been renovations to give the place a good look.

“It should be noted that the area in question was in a dilapidated state. In fact, there hasn’t been any activity there for at least eight years now,” he stated.

He said the city would like to complete the R3.6 million project soon, but a clique of residents kept disturbing the progress.

Mashigo said the open area had been cleared and could be used for anything in the future but, in the meantime, it would be for parking the buses.

Another public meeting has been organised for Tuesday, to be complemented by another with the taxi associations, said Mashigo.

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Pretoria News

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