POLOKWANE – After almost three months of living next to a site where a water pipe had been excavated by municipal workers, some residents in Grimm Street, Fauna Park are wondering how long it will still take to close up the hole that was left.
Workers apparently came to repair a broken pipe on March 6, dug a hole and left the area, with water still leaking from the pipe.
The hole continues to fill up with water.
“This is just near a spot where local children play every day. Is the municipality waiting to hear of a human being having drowned or a pet before they do something?,” one resident asked in frustration.
A few poles and danger tape had been put around the hole, but is not nearly enough to prevent the dangers posed by the hole that was left, one resident told Polokwane Observer.
“Once it rains, the hole fills up with water, sometimes even overflowing to right up to our doorstep, “a concerned elderly resident said.
The location of the excavation site is such that a motorist could easily land in the hole at night, with no prior warning.
Municipal spokesperson, Thipa Selala on May 10 confirmed that the matter had been brought to the attention of the relevant department.
He then visited the site and spoke to affected residents on May 16.
“The matter has been escalated to the relevant office for urgent attention,” he informed Polokwane Observer, however on May 22, both Selala and the residents said nothing had been done to solve the problem.
A follow-up enquiry had been sent to the municipality.
