Residents’ complaints about potholes in Palm Grove Road, Uvongo in ward 19 has fallen on deaf ears.
Debbie Marx reported the matter to ward councillor George Henderson and Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), and to date it has not been given attention.
She said one cannot avoid the potholes, as there is only one entry and exit point in Palm Grove.
“The issues started after a property owner in Sarum Street which is behind us constructed a conservancy tank during the Covid-19 pandemic. A few months later it started flooding the backyard, into our street and our properties at 15 Palm Grove, Villa Amalfi.
“My neighbour Billy du Plooi attempted to fill some of the potholes with sand and cement, however was stopped as he was not allowed to,” said Marx.
She said raw sewage is overflowing from the property in Sarum Street and the stench is unbearable. A neighbour living across that property sold up as he could not bear the stench and the sewage in his yard.
“The issue was also reported on a Uvongo social media group and one of the ward councillor’s assistants came to assess the situation, take pictures so that the matter is escalated, however nothing has been done to date,” Marx added.
Du Plooi confirmed that as he and his staff had no work during Covid, they repaired the potholes.
“We also tried digging a trench for the sewage to flow away from the street into the only storm water drain on this road, but after heavy rainfall the problem still persists.”
He said the residents recently filled the potholes with stones, however it is not a permanent solution.
“The municipality needs to dig up the road and work out a better drainage system,” Du Plooi added.
He and Marx agreed that a lot of money has been spent to keep the sewage from their properties, however they feel that the municipality should take responsibility as they are paying rates, but not getting any service.
Ward 19 councillor, George Henderson said: “Unfortunately there are so many potholed roads in RNM. Like Debbie Marx, I have reported these specific potholes in Palm Grove to RNM on many occasions and directly again to Sizwe Mnguni on December 2.
“RNM has appointed a contractor to repair potholes in my ward and they started repairs in November. Palm Grove is on the list for repairs and hopefully it will get there sooner rather than later. I have many other roads in a worse condition than Palm Grove that is unfortunately a higher priority,” Henderson added.
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