28 May 2014
Page 3
tame TIMES
Woman dragged under taxi A woman in her 20s was in a critical condition after she was struck by a taxi and dragged beneath it for several meters. She sustained multiple severe suspected fractures in in the collision. She was airlifted from Etwatwa Road in Benoni to Johannesburg East on Friday morning. She was airlifted from the scene to Johannesburg General Hospital for urgent medical treatment. ER24 paramedics also transported two adult patients with moderate injuries to Sunshine Hospital. The collision apparently occurred when the critically
injured woman’s vehicle was hit from behind. As she was calling her insurance company from outside her vehicle, a taxi crashed into her and the two vehicles, in a ‘domino effect’, approximately five other vehicles collided with these vehicles in the heavy misty area. There were approximately ten other patients on the scene that sustained minor to moderate injuries. Provincial Services personnel on the scene transported them to various hospitals.The incident is currently under investigation.
The helicopter preparing to airlift the patient (credit:Glen Orritt)
New development plan raises concern An example of a similar development as that envisaged for the Impala Park property.
Residents in Impala Park were up in arms about reports of a property development plan in Impala Park. According to a memorandum that was sent to council by the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality, the municipality aims rezone the erf on the corner of Beechcraft and Canadair Avenue, Impala Park, at the current owner’s request, into a 16 unit dwelling. The Ekurhuleni Municipality circulated a rezoning application on 7 March 2014 to the City Planning Department, including other departments in Ekurhuleni, in which the municipality proposed the rezoning of the vacant property: “One of the objectives of the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality in terms of spatial structure is to ‘promote the development of compact urban structure which optimize the utilization of all resources’. The proposed development of dwelling units on a large and vacant property that is located in the heart of the residential area of Impala Park, will fully comply with these objectives; optimizing the use of existing resources and infrastructure. The erf is unutilised and dilapidated and as a result contributing to the demise of the area. In conclusion, it is our submission that the application should be supported,” read the proposal motivation. Many residents in Impala Park were surprised and furious to hear about this proposal, as they alleged that they were not notified about this development before the development application went through to council. According to Mark Whitehead, who lives opposite the proposed rezoning property, he never saw a notice anywhere in or around the property- informing the neighbours about this development plan. According to Whitehead, the neighbours should have had a chance to object before the application was submitted. Whitehead’s neighbour, Fraser Harris, also objected to
the proposal: “The process of notifying all neighbouring properties in my opinion was not procedurally correct, as we as residents only became aware of this after the entire process had been approved at council level. A notice was apparently placed on the sidewalk outside this property. I beg to differ as due to the fact that this property is a thorn in my side, I pay particular attention to all that is happening both outside and inside the property and at no time did I see any form of communication regarding a proposed rezoning of this property. If this proposed development was to proceed then any privacy which I currently enjoy to the front of my premises would be severely compromised. The added traffic on Beechcraft Road, which is already under severe pressure, will make commuting to and from work even more strenuous than it
A view of the street running past the property where the other neighbours say their privacy will be compromised.
A view of the property, which is currently vacant.
already is,” Harris said. Whitehead added that the electricity problems in Impala Park this year are also good reason for concern: earlier this year, electricity in Impala Park was off for an entire week, and has only recently been fully restored. According to Whitehead, a huge block of flats in a residential area will result in more strain on the power usage in Impala Park. According to Impala Park Ward Councillor, André du Plessis, he has been informed that the municipality is still planning to advertise the proposal for the development.
Du Plessis explained that, by law, the development proposal must be advertised in two newspapers, as well as on a prominent notice board on the sidewalk of the property; displaying clear instructions of where neighbours can object to and the due date for objections. The municipality has indicated that they are aware of this procedure. Du Plessis asks residents in Impala Park to keep an eye out for this notice, so that they can submit their objections correctly. He assures concerned residents that they will have a say in the matter before it is officially approved.