Residents and councillor demand answers

On the corner of Estate Road and Grey Street, several water-filled potholes mark the road.

The residents said the road there has been in that state for five weeks.

The burst water mains beneath the road have weakened it.

Clr Stefanie Kruger was informed of the situation by the residents on July 7, after which she tried to organise something with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), but to no avail.

Residents said the main pipe under the road on the corner has been fixed three times before, but has burst once again.

“There’s only puddles of water here now, but at night, when the pressure is higher, the water streams down here,” said Ricky Coelho (chairman of Country View).

“Then they want to implement water restrictions, but look at this water wastage.”

The residents demand a permanent solution by means of replacing the pipes completely.

Residents are forced to drive with half their car on the curb when driving around the corner, to prevent damage to their cars.

On Meiring Crescent, also in Country View, a similar situation exists.

Ricky Coelho (chairman of Country View) said the road has been in the state of disrepair for a month.

“I saw water on the street here a few weeks ago, but thought it was the adjacent property’s sprayer,” said Coelho.

“Later I noticed it was due to the mains under the street and cracks had already appeared in the street; it was only a matter of days before the road was destroyed.”

Clr Stefanie Kruger (Ward 24) came out to look at the damage to the roads.

She said she has been calling the water department to have the leaks fixed.

“The roads department came out to fix the roads, but told me they can’t do anything before the water leaks are repaired,” said Kruger.

“There needs to be an investigation into the water department.

“It’s all over this ward, there are several leaks and burst pipes in this area.”

EMM was approached for comment, but none had been received at the time of going to press.