‘There is no danger at River Walk’

VEREENIGING. – Residents of Vereeniging were up in arms since the ‘fear’ of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) that the River Walk Centre in Three Rivers might come crashing down spread like a veld fire.
ELM stated in a press release that the building is unsafe and that there are major ‘structural defects.’ ELM’s site inspection team responded routinely to the River Walk Centre on October 13 to renew a licence when they came across the alleged defects.
According to ELM spokesperson Stanley Gaba, the building is physically separating due to its load. However, structural engineer Mr Brian McLintock of BSM Baker gave Vaalweekblad clarity on the ‘separation of the walls.’ He explained that the shops are all built on a suspended slab which sits over the basement. Due to the size of the suspended slab, it was divided into portions with the use of expansion joints. These joints are there to cater for the anticipated movements that occur in structural slabs due to expansion and contraction from temperature changes. The movement is not dangerous at all and there is no sign that the building will collapse,” says McLintock. “As you stand in the basement and look up at the underside of the slab, you can clearly see these special expansion joints.”
He further explained that no brick walls are built over these joints, as the movement of the slabs would cause them to crack if this was done. The ‘crack’ that ELM suggested was a ‘major structural defect’ is actually a formed movement joint in the brickwork, positioned so as not to bridge the expansion joint. These formed joints and will now be covered with aluminium for aesthetic reasons and to ensure that there are no future misunderstandings.
According to Mr Chris Krugel, facility manager of The Bentel Group that erected this building almost five years ago, they are very serious about following rules and regulations. “The Bentel Group takes pride in what they do and they have many shopping centres.” He also said that due to ELM declaring that the building was unsafe before consulting with the structural engineers to explain to them the plans and what is really going on might cause a decrease in income for tenants as people might be ‘scared’ to do their shopping at River Walk. “This centre contributes to the economy as well as the growth of the area,” Mr Krugel concluded. Regular building and structural maintenance is conducted at the River Walk Centre. This includes monthly services as per regulation as well as maintenance on a daily, weekly and monthly basis or as needed. Tenants believe the warning issued to them by ELM was blown out of proportion. By the time Vaalweekblad went to print no comment had been received from ELM.