Fibre installation job leaves residents with a stench

OVER seven months. That’s how long the residents of Chandler Crescent in Montclair have had to endure an overflow of nauseating sewage onto the road outside their homes.

The sewage spillage is a result of a burst pipe from a fibre installation job that was done back in October on the side of the road by contractor workers.

“Workers had come to install fibre cables in the area. There would often be water leaks along the road during the time they were doing this job. We weren’t even notified as residents that this job would be done. This sewage leak is from that very same job when they damaged the pipe while digging underground. My neighbour reported this to the municipality and was informed that there is a certain kind of pipe that needs to replace the damaged one and that it is the engineering department that needs to attend to and resolve the issue. To this day no one had ever come to sort this out.

“We have been reporting this matter. Due to the lack of response, on Friday, 16 April I reported yet again to the municipality. All I have been told is that the matter is being escalated. No supervisor, manager, engineer or technician has come out to assess the damage. This is unacceptable, it’s unfair and this leak has become a health hazard now,” said resident, Eugenia Mphephanduko who has also sought assistance from ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter.

Hegter confirmed that he was aware of the issue and has tried to escalate the issue several times. He shared that he was advised by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s control room that the fault is pending on the regional clipboard for the area superintendent to dispatch a maintenance inspector for broken pipes.

Responding to the procedure and issues of fibre installations in residential areas, eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said, “Fibre is installed by private companies but before they start the installation, they obtain authorisation or clearance from eThekwini Municipality. They submit all required approval forms to the relevant eThekwini Departments and other respective service providers.

“Our roads and stormwater maintenance department has dedicated a clerk of works who monitors these contractors and ensures compliance out on site. They are the first point of contact in the event of any damages or non-compliance. They are also entitled to stop work in case of major transgression. We urge residents who would like to report or find out more information about the fibre installations in the area to call roads and stormwater maintenance on 031-322-7241.”