A large piece of Maria Street, Fontainebleau, has been torn up for the past 12 months. The road was damaged due to work done by Johannesburg Water when installing new equipment for a pipe in March last year. The work was finished around June, said Honey-veld Transport owner George van der Westhuizen.
Then Johannesburg Water hired contractors to repair the road. But, the Johannesburg Roads Agency was not happy with the job, and asked the entity to repair the road again. The agency’s spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers commented, “The [agency] is dissatisfied with the way the Joburg Water manhole was installed (it is protruding too high), and as such our wayleave section has requested [Johannesburg Water] to recall the contractor and reinstate to appropriate standard.”
Johannesburg Water External Communications Officer Eleanor Mavimbela confirmed the situation. She said that the entity is investigating the matter, but could not say when the next attempt will be made to repair the road. Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood recently examined the road, and was told by Honey-veld Transport employees how it had affected them.
“Lots of cars were damaged and had burst tyres,” said Marinda Marais. Corrie Arnold said that the situation was “ridiculous” and has been going on for months with nothing being done. Van der Westhuizen said that “one of these days there will be a major accident”. Wood commented that he was unhappy that the situation was still not resolved, and he would follow up.
Details: Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood mikewo@mweb.co.za, Johannesburg Roads Agency 011 298 5001, Johannesburg Water 011 688 1699.
