Vereeniging Taxi Rank: A decade of delays continues amid sewer spillage

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27-05-2025
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Vaal Weekblad
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A fresh contractor, a fresh timeline—and now, a fresh setback.

VEREENIGING – The long-awaited reconstruction of the Vereeniging Taxi Rank, a project initiated in 2014, faces yet another setback due to an unresolved sewer spillage that has halted construction for the past three months.

Ward 15 councillor Prudence Hlanyane expressed frustration over the latest delay, stating that while a contractor is finally on board to complete the project, the persistent sewer issue has made it impossible for work to proceed.

Construction of the Vereeniging Taxi Rank has been halted due to a large sewer spill on the construction site.

The problem has been reported to the Emfuleni Local Municipality, with technicians from Rand Water and Metsi-a-Lekoa assessing the situation.

However, no remedial action has been taken, leaving the site unusable.

Ster North sent an urgent media enquiry to municipal spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni on May 20 to confirm whether the Emfuleni Local Municipality is aware of the issue and what steps are being taken to resolve it.

At the time of publication, no response had been received.

The taxi rank project has experienced numerous delays since its inception. Originally constructed in 1991/92, the facility was demolished in 2014/15 as part of a PRASA-led initiative to upgrade the Vereeniging station precinct.

Construction was halted due to the appointed contractor’s financial insolvency.

A new contractor was appointed on February 16, 2024, with construction commencing on April 29, 2024, and an expected completion date of June this year.

Despite these plans, the ongoing sewer spillage threatens to derail the project’s timeline again, impacting local businesses and commuters who have endured years of inconvenience.

The community awaits prompt action from the relevant authorities to resolve the issue and resume construction.