City workers leave private property in a mess after repairs

Rhodesfield resident Margreet Ludewig was left frustrated after CoE contractors left her pavement in a mess while doing water leak repairs.

After completing the repairs a month ago, Ludewig said her driveway still needs rehabilitation.

She told the Kempton Express that on May 13, she reported a water leak to the municipality and followed up with phone calls and emails in the following days.

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“On May 18, council workers arrived with machinery to dig a hole to reach the leak and replace the affected pipe,” she said.

“Those who arrived had bad attitudes and acted as if they were unhappy to work on a weekend.

“I think the municipal workers showed a lack of pride in their work and absolutely no consideration for the inhabitants of my house and street. They were unmotivated and uninterested in their work,” added Ludewig.

She said she received a water leak reference and reinstatement of the pavement reference on May 14, but a month later, she still had not received a response. As yet, no one has arrived to rehabilitate the pavement.

Ludewig accused the council contractors of being inconsiderate when they dumped mud and sand on her driveway when there was a place next to the hole to put it in.

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“I am disgusted that they could leave this mess behind. I am unable to use my driveway. It is infuriating.

“It has caused great inconvenience because we must manoeuvre our cars in and out of the yard, driving over the rest of the pavement. Our yard is a mess because we constantly have to drive through the mud,” said Ludewig.

“The area is unsightly, and people have started throwing their rubbish into the hole.

“Furthermore, it is a danger to the many small children who live on this street. We pay our rates and taxes for a service, but we do not get it,” she said.

Ludewig fears she will have to hire a contractor to clear the mess the CoE left behind.

“How can the CoE expect us to pay rates and taxes when they give such poor service delivery? If we have to rehabilitate ourselves, I will hold the CoE accountable to pay the bill,” said Ludewig.

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the city is aware of the work done by the contractors.

He said that due to the soil conditions in the area, backfilling could not happen immediately to prevent further bursts. However, the site was left safe.

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According to Dlamini, they would reinstate the site before June 14, following an inspection, and if they detected no other leaks.

“The soil condition normally determines whether backfilling should happen immediately or not. If the soil is soft, you have a problem.

“There is no way we can control nature. However, the team will backfill if it is safe to do after repairs. Sometimes, depending on materials in the ground and natural causes, there may be a delay.”