One of the residents, Mr Pieter Jamneck, has complained about the problem for months. The ditch, which is in places more than a metre deep stretches all along the side of the park in Barnard Street. It also extends to the side of the park in Philip Street.
“The municipality dug this about five months ago. I just saw a municipal worker digging it one day but no one ever explained why they were doing it,” he complains.
Although the ward councillor, Mr Carlos Rebelo, has reported the problem three times, nothing has been done about it.
The Herald also asked the Merafong City Local Municipality about the problem, but the only response was that they would investigate. Nothing more has been done since.
On Thursday, 28 October, the ditch caused more problems.
According to Jamneck, he was busy in his house when he heard screaming in the street at about 10:30.
When he went out, he saw a mother helping her little boy who had fallen into the ditch.
“I think he wanted to jump over but slipped and fell in. He was holding his arm and it looked like it was broken. The mother said she was going to ‘sue the municipality’. Soon afterwards a man came and picked them up,” says Jamneck.
Besides the ditch being dangerous for the residents, people are now also throwing rubbish into it.
Although the Herald asked the municipality about the problem again on Tuesday, no answers were received.
