Residents from Ululapa complex at Sharonlea have to use the emergency exit gate ever since the pipe in front of the entrance gate burst on 29 January.
This after Joburg Water dug up the driveway to fix the burst pipe. Residents complained that they had to hire an extra security guard to monitor the exit gate at their own cost.
Traffic congestion and safety have become the critical problems since then.
According to Joburg Water, their team attended to the problem on 30 January and repaired the pipe that was in front of the secondary access gate in Suikerbossie Street.
When operators dug up the driveway to repair the pipe they only located the storm water pipe and could not detect the main pipe under the paving stones.
This, however, delayed the operators as they hit the pipes, which moved out of alignment.
A resident, Becky Smith, said it has been most frustrating.
“When are they going to reinstate the manhole and storm water pipe so we can get our driveway back,” she asked.
She further complained that it was costing them money as they have hired an extra guard.
Joburg Water external communications officer Eleanor Mavimbela replied that operators noticed that the repaired pipe was leaking again and they could not immediately reinstate the driveway.
“The pipe was repaired on 8 February. We have appointed a contractor to repair the storm water system and reinstate the driveway and it is expected to be completed during this weekend,” she concluded.
JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers explained that Joburg Water has requested a contractor to repair all the damaged pipes and the driveway.
“JRA sincerely apologises for the delay in service and we encourage the escalation of all reported issues with a reference number to our email hotline@jra.org.za,” she concluded.
Details: Joburg Water, 011 688 1577; Joburg Road Agency, 011 298 5023.
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