Lombardy East property owner furious after a water lid stolen

A Lombardy East resident is furious after his water meter lid was stolen and claimed that the City of Johannesburg has given him the run around for weeks after reporting it.

On 13 October, Klaas Kekana returned home to find water running out from the meter and upon investigating he discovered that the lid had been stolen.

Kekana contacted Joburg Water and Ward 81 councillor Irene Rugheimer to report the issue.

“I contacted Joburg Water and I was issued a reference number which I also sent to Irene who promised to elevate it to the relevant authorities,” said Kekana.

“I then called Joburg Water again and they told me that on their system it’s reported as done. I told them it’s not done and they generated a new reference number. Later I was contacted by an official from the entity who identified himself as Mr Sebola who promised to send an inspector to my house.

“An inspector was sent in my absence and apparently gave Mr Sebola feedback.” Kekana added that Mr Sebola called him again and issued him with another reference number.

Kekana said on 20 October, Joburg Water contractors arrived with a truck full of river sand instead of a new water meter or a lid to replace the stolen one.

“I told them that Mr Sebola told me that they would move the meter and I asked them not to put down the sand and they left. On 21 October, they came again, same people same truck, with river sand and told me that they were instructed to put down river sand and do the paving later.”

When contacted, Rugheimer confirmed that she had spoken to Kekana and she had, as promised, escalated the matter to the relevant authorities.

“Unfortunately, I’m not able to give you the answer as I have escalated more than once. It could be that Joburg Water did not send the wayleave to JRA [Johannesburg Roads Agency] timeously.”

The North Eastern Tribune contacted Joburg Water spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela who said the depot manager in the area had visited the property and attended to the matter.

She said Joburg Water’s contractors had moved the meter and that was the reason they had put river sand where the meter was initially placed.

“Our depot manager visited the house and has confirmed that the meter has been relocated and the lid replaced. They will then today (1 November) pave the part where the meter was removed from.”

Details: Eleanor Mavimbela eleanor.mavimbela@jwater.co.za

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