AFTER weeks of inaction by the eThekwini Municipality, two local residents hope to put the spotlight on two potentially hazardous missing manhole covers in Westville and Pinetown.
Concerned Westville resident, Kevin Allan noted a manhole cover was removed from the intersection of Saltfleet Road and Menston Road in early May.
He reported the incident immediately.
With hundreds of residents, school children and students making use of the sidewalk each day, Allan said it was a high risk issue.
“As a citizen you are the eyes and ears of the eThekwini Municipality and it is shocking that you have to fight with them to get things done. I have sent repeat email and there is no sense of urgency,” he said.
Sharon Jenkins, Westville Junior Primary School’s acting principal, said, “Our learners make use of the nearby field for sporting activities and, because of the danger the missing manhole cover poses, we have been forced to make use of alternate routes to ensure their safety. For the sake of the safety of our learners and the local community who make use of this sidewalk, we hope this problem is rectified soon.”
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Jenkins noted that the Grade 2 and 3 boys use the route twice a week and the school will be hosting its annual sponsored walk next week Thursday, 17 June, at Jimmy Bellows Sports Club.
“We walk all our children, Grade R to 3, there and back throughout the day. I am hoping this problem is solved by then,” she said.
Another manhole cover was reported missing in Devon Road in Pinetown by Colaine Naicker in March this year and, at the time of going to print, no repairs have been made.
The issue was escalated to the Department of Water and Sanitation
“This is a serious hazard as many vehicles, including trucks, use this road daily. The hole is near a blind curb and traffic has to move over to the oncoming side to avoid it. This road is extremely dark at night and one only realises the danger, often too late, and has to swerve their vehicles at danger point,” she said.
The eThekwini Municipality failed to comment by the time of going to print.
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