Municipal worker repairs road after three years of neglect

During a drive through Sarafina, extension 7, municipal worker Antonello Vertyn noticed a tree growing where a pothole had formed, making it difficult for motorists to use the road.

Vertyn, who mainly deals with clearing dumping sites, says he felt compelled to assist. “My aim is always to make a difference in the lives of others through my job, even if I sometimes have to step out of what I usually do,” he said.

He added that it brought him great pleasure to assist residents with something that had become a big issue for so long.

According to Mandla Links, a community leader who does not live too far from the area, the road had been this way for over three years. “The matter has been reported to the ward councillor, and they were well aware of the issue but never took the time to repair the road,” Mandla said.

Mandla says he uses the road frequently when he needs to catch a taxi to work and is always disappointed to see the problem worsening. “The situation got so bad that a tree started growing in the middle of the road. It affected the movement of both cars and pedestrians,” he lamented.

Mandla added that they were grateful to Antonello for taking the time to assist, even though he was just passing by. “We can only hope the municipality will assist us in keeping it this way,” he concluded.