Endless issues at Greyville block

WITH faulty street lights, a stolen water meter, overgrown open spaces and a make-shift bus stop on their doorstep, Greyville residents from Summer Glade, an upmarket residential block of flats that houses 80 units on Avondale Road, are at their wit’s end.

Resident, Jothi Cooppan said the area is in a sorry state, considering the rates residents pay.

“Being a resident in Summer Glade, we pay high rates and taxes. What we get in return is pathetic. Everyday we are subject to busses and taxis parking near our entrance and driving schools conducting lessons outside out entrance. There are a lot of homeless people living in the open space across the road who use the area as a toilet. The standard of the area has dropped. We are left alone to fight this battle,” she said.

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Building manager for Summer Glade, Noshaad Paddington echoed these concerns, saying buses park outside the block of flats from 09:00 until 15:00 everyday.

What’s more, Paddington said security concerns were raised when night guards noticed that streetlights in the area were not working.

“The biggest problem we are facing at the moment is the streetlights which have been out for six months. According to my night guards, there are people being robbed on the street at night because it is so dark in the area. When I reported this to the eThekwini Municipality, I was told there is a backlog. We have been placed in the queue,” he said.

Paddington said he reported the matter more than a moth ago on January 1 after he was made aware of the issue in December.

“Some residents said the lights have been off since September,” he said.

ALSO READ: Residents ashamed of living conditions at Marloth Gardens

The bulk water meter for the block of flats was stolen on January 31, presenting another major concern for Paddington.

“I reported the incident to the City, but they have not come to restore our water meter. We don’t know how the City is going to charge us for January and February water bills as there is no meter reading,” he said.

In a statement, the eThekwini Municipality said it would be investigating further.

“All issues have been reported to the relevant units. Teams from the respective units will be sent to investigate. Metro Police will also investigate the issue of buses and cars parking illegally,” said the City.

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