POLOKWANE – Some good news is on the cards for motorists as the Polokwane Municipality has confirmed that residents can claim for damage to their vehicles sustained as a result of potholes in the city.
This comes after several complaints from motorists over the state of roads in the city and its surrounding areas. Municipal workers are currently repairing potholes and will continue to do so for the foreseeable months according to a schedule.
Read more: Municipality begins clean-up of city and fixing of potholes
According to Municipal Spokesperson, Thipa Selala, claims can be lodged at the municipality’s roads unit which will investigate the incident after receipt of all required documents. He says in a period dating from the beginning of the municipal financial year in July 2020 to date, the municipality has paid out just under R50 000 for such claims.
According to Selala, a claim can take a month or longer to finalise, depending on the individual merits. “No two cases are the same.
The relevant unit will investigate the matter based on the information that is submitted by the claimant.” He says that one has the choice to claim before repair, or to repair the damage then proceeding to claim for the loss by providing proof of the amounts that were paid to repair or replace.
He says it is important to note that the claim needs to be made within a month from the incident, otherwise it is no longer valid.
The following documents and information are required in order for the claim to be processed:
· Copy of ID and driver’s licence.
· Copy of municipal account.
· Confirmation of non-cover by claimant’s insurance company.
· Photos of the damaged tyre/rim and the pothole.
· Direct location of the pothole (e.g. Polokwane, Landdros Maré Street opposite Edgars).
· A letter of demand with total amount being claimed.
· A sworn affidavit relating the incident as it happened.
· Name and contacts of any witnesses, if available.
· Three quotations/copy of receipts/ invoice for the payment already made.
