Bram Fischer pavement has been unsafe for eight months

Joburg Water is waiting for JRA to fix the storm water before they can back fill the hole on Bram Fischer Drive.

The hole was dug to repair a burst pipe underground. Photo: Mthulisi Lwazi Khuboni

A reinstatement on Bram Fischer Drive in Ferndale continues to cause frustration for both business owners and residents, as a hole left in the pavement continues to pose a safety and health hazard.

Johannesburg Water dug up the pavement due to an underground burst pipe, however, after attending to the burst pipe and fixing the damage, they left the dug-up hole wide open.

The excavation has been left unattended since December. Photo: Mthulisi Lwazi Khuboni

Nombuso Shabalala, spokesperson for Johannesburg Water, explained that the entity is currently waiting for the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to repair the storm water drain before the reinstatement is done.

“There has been action taken. On May 15, Johannesburg Water’s Randburg Depot sent communication via email to the JRA requesting them to repair the storm water drain before the reinstatement can be done. Once the storm water drain is repaired, the excavation can be closed.”

Theresa Sebastian, who works at a business on Bram Fischer Drive, explained that this matter has been going on since end of December when they dug up the area to attend to a pipe burst.

“Since then, it has been left forgotten, a danger to public and transport commuters as it is next to the busy road. The ward councillor wrote to the entity who said they will immediately attend to the matter. Nothing has been done to date. They have only closed the area of with a branded plastic tape.”

She added that this has a severe impact because they cannot access the parking area in front of the building and the area looks extremely untidy.

Hole dug to repair a burst pipe is now filled with litter. Photo: Mthulisi Lwazi Khuboni

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“It is very frustrating as council wants yearly increases but absolutely nothing is done to get the basics fixed and the whole of Randburg CBD looks like an abandoned area. They do not do anything to enhance the area, and this is on a main street.

“Council should attend immediately to get the matter sorted and see why the sewer line is damaged, get it fixed and then landfill the area and re-pave the area to its original state.”

Question were sent to JRA regarding the communication with Joburg Water and when the storm water pipe can be fixed. Their response will be published once made available.

Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman said she is escalating the issue and yet, unfortunately, nothing has been done about it. She will continue to raise and escalate this matter until it is resolved.

Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman. Photo: Mthulisi Lwazi Khuboni

“I wasn’t aware it had happened until the actual business contacted me. Their business entrance was being blocked and the debris and soil left lying around without being backfilled. This is an eyesore. The excavation site is now filled with litter and has become another refuse site here very close to the CBD.”

She added that she has been writing emails to try and get this matter sorted out and the hole backfilled so that the entrance and parking are left in an acceptable state.”