The continued deterioration of Edenvale’s stormwater infrastructure remains a concern for residents and businesses alike.
Over the years stormwater servitudes in Edenvale have slowly crumbled away as erosion and a lack of maintenance takes its toll on the infrastructure.
For Eastleigh resident Les Tindale (80) the deterioration of the servitude between Cunningham and High roads has left him feeling helpless.
On April 18 the NEWS reported on the collapse of Tindale’s perimeter wall which fell on March 31.
Tindale believed the collapse of his wall was a result of damage inflicted on the servitude during the November 2016 floods.
During the floods businesses were damaged, residents were washed away and Caroline Sithole and her unborn child died
Following the floods, the NEWS has reported extensively on the community’s concerns about stormwater infrastructure.
Since the NEWS’ last visited to the Riverleigh property, over three weeks ago, Tindale said nothing has been done to remedy his problem.
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According to Tindale, the situation has worsened.
On May 2 Tindale showed the NEWS new cracks in another portion of his wall and another piece of the servitude which collapsed a day earlier.
“When I saw the cracks I took out my spirit level and saw that the wall was sloping towards the servitude,” said Tindale.
In an attempt to save some of his wall, Tindale cut the fence which was bolted to the wall.
“I cut the fence so that if the second portion fell it would not pull down the rest of the wall.”
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Tindale said a senior maintenance engineer from the City of Ekurhuleni visited his property on April 13.
After the engineer’s visit Tindale was told that the CoE would appoint consultants to address the problem.
A member of Riverleigh’s body corporate, who did not wish to be named, said the response from the municipality has been limited.
“I am feeling very disappointed. As a ratepayer I had hoped for a better response,” said Tindale.
“I have enough stress in my life as it is. I don’t even want to think about what could happen if nothing is done.”
On April 12 a request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni.
No comment has since been received. A second request for comment was sent to the CoE on May 3. Comment was requested by May 5 at 9am.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
