Better Bedfordview is “gatvol” with the lack of action from the CoE regarding the ongoing water leaks.
The NPO said they had, on countless occasions, tried to engage the metro on the matter without any success.
Better Bedfordview chairperson Marina Constas and the head of roads and infrastructure, Collin McCrorie, said some water leaks have been ongoing for over a year. Many were reported but still leak.
The leak on Hawley Road, facing the Tubular building, has been ongoing for almost two years, according to Constas and McCrorie.
ALSO READ: Letter: City responds to resident’s complaint about water leaks
In the meantime, there are five leaks on Van der Linde Road, water flowing on Bradford Road, a leak on Skeen Boulevard that has been there for over a year and on Talisman Road, to name a few.
Previously, Constas spared no words in conveying her frustration, asserting that Bedfordview is leaking like a sieve.
“Better Bedfordview and our community have had enough of the water leaks in our area. We want to see urgent action from the CoE,” she said.
In a recent letter sent to the metro, the NPO said they were concerned about the increasing requests from the residents to join the call to action from other ratepayer associations in embarking on a rates boycott.
For the past two years, the organisation has helped the council to ensure the suburb’s upkeep.
ALSO READ: City slow to respond to leaks in Bedfordview
“With the help of the roads department, we ran a pilot project fixing over 500 potholes. We have swept streets, painted kerbs, rehabilitated pavements, and encouraged our community to take pride in our suburb.
“We are liaising with the Water and Sanitation Department to fully assess the ward’s number of water leaks and to find a way forward in repairing these leaks,” said Constas.
She said the residents and businesses in the area are asking why they are paying the highest rates and taxes in Gauteng and receiving very little in return from a service delivery point of view.
“Other neighbourhoods have joined us, including Primrose, Edenvale and Senderwood. We have recently connected with the East of Johannesburg Forum, run by Paul Koffler.
This forum incorporates Heriotdale, Germiston, Cleveland, Sebenza, Kensington, and Heidelberg and is gaining traction at breakneck speed,” added Constas.
ALSO READ: Local family affected by water leaks and delayed repairs
Constas and McCrorie emphasised that the goal is to work with officials and heads of departments.
“We resonate with Section 4(2) of the Municipal Systems Act, which states that every municipality must consult the community on the level, quality, range and impact of municipal services and the available options for service delivery.
“We have, unfortunately, not received the required level of engagement from the council. Our e-mails and the e-mails of our ward councillor go ignored for the most part, without even being acknowledged.”
The NPO said the many water leaks in the suburbs have damaged the road infrastructure and also blamed this on old and corroded infrastructure.
ALSO READ: Better Bedfordview wants answers about water leaks from CoE
Previously, the CoE spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said the city was making progress on attending to the long-outstanding water leaks in the Bedfordview area.
When asked about the letters sent to them by the NPO, Dlamini said, “The letter is well received and receiving attention. We shall engage the association on the preferred way forward.”
Bedfordview and Edenvale News sent another media enquiry on October 12, asking why addressing the matter is taking so long. We received no comment by the time of going to print.
