It has seemingly become the norm for Ekurhuleni Metro Council workers to dig big and deep holes or trenches around leaking water pipes or meters and then just abandon the repairs.
Residents fear that this fashion is a danger to them and their children in Moped Street. It is alleged by Desmond Jarvis that a 3-year-old child almost drowned in one of the two holes. The quick reaction of a passerby saved the child’s life.
“The council workers arrived twice to dig the two holes where the leak was noticed. The third time they arrived but left immediately saying their pump was faulty and could not pump the water out of the holes. Since then, clean water has wastefully been bubbling out. A waste of clean water.
“A month ago a sub-contractor arrived and just pumped out some water and left. Since then nobody has ever attended to this problem. Clean water is wasting daily and more kids could drown here. I have phoned the council on numerous occasions with the given reference number (802912) but still no response,” said Jarvis.
Five years ago, in the same Moped Street, a 3-year-old child died after falling in an open manhole. This was also after numerous reports to the council about the open manhole. After the burial of the toddler, the family moved back to Port Elizabeth. Moped Street residents fear that the same thing could happen again.
