Residents from Ululapa complex at Suikerbossie Street in Sharonlea could only hope that their driveway was appropriately reinstated and that this time Joburg Water would not dig it up again.
See previous story: Residents demand their driveway back
Residents had to hire their own private contractor to reinstate their driveway after it was washed away during the recent rains.
The water pipes on the driveway started to leak again when the street was flooded on 28 February – only a few days after the pipe was fixed and the driveway reinstated.
Residents complained that they advised the contractor from Joburg Water to install a manhole that would help them to fix the pipe if it leaked again.
“I am very disappointed with the service and quality of work that has been done to fix a problem which is proving to be an urgent matter. This is costing us money as we have to utilise our emergency gate and have extra guards on duty for the safety of our residents,” said one of the residents Becky Smith.
She explained that residents spent about R40 000 to hire extra security to monitor the gate as it was not closed. “We asked for a manhole pipe from Joburg Road Agency (JRA) but they gave us the plastic one and we do not know how long it will last before the driveway is washed away again,” she said.
She complained that the lack of consistency from management level was affecting residents direly as they battle to get their problems fixed.
JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers explained that on 4 March they unblocked the pipe and reconstructed the manhole structure and replaced the manhole.
She further explained that they confirmed with the chairperson of the body corporate. “She was happy with the work undertaken. She then informed us that they will then tell their contractor to repair the damaged paving,” explained Peters-Scheepers.
JW external communications officer Eleanor Mavimbela explained that when the pipe leaks underground, they have to dig up the road. “Unfortunately it was leaking underground and we could not immediately repair the driveway,”she explained.
She continued that it is a precautionary measure to leave the dug-up area open for at least three days before it is repaired.
Details: Joburg Road Agency, hotline@jra.org.za; Joburg Water 011 375 5555.
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UPDATE: Driveway is finally revamped
