Dangerous trench worries the community
KwaThema - A trench for a water pipe has been left open for four months.
Residents who live in Ngwabe Street in KwaThema live in fear for the safety of their children.
According to one of the residents in that area, Billy Phakisi, the trench was left open by a contractor while replacing a steel water pipe.
He says the pipe inside a deep trench burst and filled the trench with water, while many litres of water are wasted as it runs across the street.
Getting inside Phakisi’s home is difficult, as the water dams in front of his gate.
Phakisi says the community’s worry also follows an incident which happened last Saturday where an eight-months-old baby nearly drowned in that water.
“The toddler who was playing with other children when the incident happened was lucky to have been rescued,” says Phakisi.
Adding that the community has reported the matter more than once to the metro, but nothing has been done about it.
Nomandla Nkosi (32) whose child was rescued by Phakisi after he nearly drowned in that water also says she wants the trench fixed before another child drowns.
“I live two streets away from the trench, but my child nearly died because of it,” says Nkosi.
She adds children who pass near that trench on their way to school and to play at a nearby community park are not safe to walk there alone.
Ward Councillor Wilson Busakwe says he is aware of the problem.
He says he has already appealed to a contractor, who allegedly left the trench open, to close it.
“I promise residents that the problem will be fixed soon,” he concludes.
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