Concerns over stormwater system continue for Edenvale business owners

The lack of attention given by the municipality to the condition of stormwater infrastructure in Wilbart has worried local business owners.

Also read: Flooding blamed on poor stormwater management.

Business owners get a sinking feeling

Damaged stormwater infrastructure remains unrepaired while the remaining infrastructure deteriorates further.

Last year the pavement alongside Mountjoy Street collapsed after a forklift drove near unstable ground.

The NEWS reported on the hole which developed last year on Mr Mr Darrel Robson’s property, raising the concerns of local property owners.

Mr Robson and Mr Jaap Kelder, a neighbouring property owner, said because of deteriorating infrastructure the pipe could not accommodate large volumes of water.

Also read: #Floods – Eastleigh businesses face closure after flood damage

Councillor Wendy Morgan (ward 36) said the sinkhole was reported on the same day, October 21, when it formed.

It still remains unattended to.

Mr Robson said he once saw a tipper truck and three EMPD officers arrive at the hole.

He said the workers dumped what appeared to be building rubble into the hole without repairing the broken stormwater pipe.

“For the past five months the hole has been a concern for business owners,” said Mr Robson.

Clr Morgan said she has received very little feedback from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality .

Mr Robson and Clr Morgan believe the rubble which was dumped into the hole will cause further damage to the rest of the storm water infrastructure in the area.

Mr Jaap Kelder, a neighbouring property owner, said the hole will expand unless it is repaired.

When asked for comment on the matter previously, Mr Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the EMM, said the hole would be repaired once the stormwater infrastructure had been repaired.

To date the hole and stormwater infrastructure has not been repaired.

At the intersection of Mountjoy and Field streets, the deteriorating condition of the roads can be seen. Clr Morgan said the condition of roads and stormwater infrastructure in the area is a major concern.

A request for comment was sent to the EMM’s communications department and the office of the MMC of Roads and Stormwater Infrastructure.

The NEWS asked the municipality when the hole and stormwater infrastructure would be repaired and why rubble was dumped into the hole.

The NEWS requested comment by March 20 by 9am.

No comment has been received

Watch: Sinkhole affects local business owners: