Fears mount as bank erodes in Orient Hills
Although residents are concerned that the road and a nearby house are at risk of collapse, eThekwini Municipality said investigations revealed otherwise.
RESIDENTS in Orient Hills, Isipingo, are fearful that an eroding embankment along Orient Drive will soon result in the main road and a nearby house collapsing.
Also read: Mayor visits Kingsburgh sewage plant
Neelash Naidoo, whose house is just across the road from the eroding embankment, said, “This issue has been going on for months, however, with the heavy rainfall over the last few weeks, the ground has softened and is collapsing at a steady pace. The stormwater pipe has also collapsed, along with the Telkom box and main fibre line which supplies the Athlone Park area. A temporary fix was made, however, from all the digging, they’ve weakened the bank further.”
Orient Hills Community Police Forum’s chairperson, Ridwaan Cassim, said the issue was reported to eThekwini Municipality about six months ago when they initially noticed the bank washing away.
“We’ve been in constant communication with our councillor who has been helpful in escalating the matter, however, it has been a back-and-forth between which department would be responsible for the repairs. It should be a matter of urgency as the main road and Neelash’s house could be at risk of collapse,” he said.
Naidoo said there are about three or four roads making up Orient Drive, with the main stretch becoming increasingly vulnerable. “If this road collapses, many residents will not be able to get to and from their homes. My family and I are fearful that our home will collapse if it continues to rain and if repairs have not been arranged. This home is all I have; I cannot afford to lose it,” he said.
Also read: Armed minor arrested in Isipingo
Ward 90 councillor Shad Nowbuth said the sinkhole, caused by erosion from a stormwater drainage system in the road verge off 100 Orient Drive, and which is rapidly growing in size, was escalated months ago for urgent attention but was not actioned until the senior manager of Roads and Stormwater Maintenance was contacted last week.
“Site inspections were undertaken this week. The department is busy preparing a tender document which should be finalised today and thereafter advertised with tenders closing on November 25. Since it’s a major contract, a contractor will only be on site early next year to commence work,” he said.
eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said, “The matter was reported to the City last week. As soon as we were notified, the matter was investigated, and the relevant officials inspected this site. Investigations revealed that the site was not in danger of collapse, though the damage did need to be repaired. We have arranged for a barricade to make the site safe and prevent accidents while the relevant department works on getting it repaired.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
