Numerous infringements of municipal by-laws are taking place on a daily basis during the construction of apartment blocks on the Bult-area, Potchefstroom. This is not a nice video to watch. It is very sad and demoralising. A few more remarks about this video: -I recorded the different video clips with my iPhone spontanioulsy, i.e. as I saw it happening whilst riding on my bike or my my car (all within one week). At no stage did I wait for an infringement to occur. It just keeps happening. -These video clips were recorded during the university and school holidays. The traffic delays are (and will be) much worse as a results of the trucks just stopping in the roads. -Work continues virtually around the clock at most of these sites, including late into the evenings and over Sundays. At least two human rights issues are at stake (over and above the by-law and other possible legal infringments): -Noise pollution infringes on the rights of residents, especially at night, over the weekends, and examination times for the students and school children staying on the Bult. -Potchefstroom is experiencing the coldest winter in 31 years according to media reports. These poor construction workers are exposed to sub-zero temperature during night shifts, working several meters above ground level. In most cases they don't get transport after their shifts and it is not uncommon to see large groups of workers in overalls walking kilometers away from the Bult late at night. -The conditions of the roads, especially Steve Biko (Tomstraat) is worse than what it looks on the video. I doubt if the developers will collectively accept responsibility to repair if after the construction phase. Some parts look like a gravel road due to all the ground being spilled onto the road surface. -There are also serious concerns about the infrastructure capability, i.e. electricity, water supply, sewerage, etc. This has been raised several times at City Council meetings. You are welcome to re-share this video.

• published: 10 Jul 2014
• views: 5148