Community eMbalenhle fears for the safety of their children
“I am scared that with summer coming, they may go and swim there. Children are children and you can tell yourself they are still inside the house when they are not.”
The community of Ext 5 in eMbalenhle said the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) had put their and their children’s lives in danger after the termination of a contractor’s contract left a big trench behind.
Residents thought the project would be complete by the time summer arrived. Now, children can access a dangerous trench full of water.
John Mpofu lives next to the trench and is scared each time he has to pass it.
“It has turned into a dam. Our municipality created a dangerous dam in our neighbourhood, and I have two little boys.
“I am scared the boys might try to swim there. Children are children. You think they are still inside the house, but they are not,” said Mpofu.
“Last year, we were shocked to hear of a child who drowned in the river near the R546.
“If children were willing to walk that far for a swim, what will happen now that the municipality has left this unbarricaded dam?” asked Mpofu.
Mpofu said they were scared living near the excavation, particularly at night, because they used to hear people screaming near it.
He further said it was a hiding place for criminals. Maria Masilela is worried because children like to play with water.
She always ensures her four children do not go in the direction of the dam when going out to play.
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“You cannot always lock them inside the yard. If something bad happens, the municipality will blame the parents for not looking after their children, but this will be on GMM.
“Why don’t they barricade the place? We know the work won’t soon be complete,” said Masilela.
She said the municipality should start putting insurance money aside for any death or injury that might happen because of their negligence.
Earlier this month, Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma told the council they had terminated the contract because of poor performance.
Zuma said the Gert Sibande District Municipality would take over this multi-million project as the implementing agent.
