A WOODHAVEN elderly couple lives in constant fear of their neighbour’s boundary wall collapsing on their house. Cyril Pillay of Tern Way said the issue dates back to 2007 and the situation leaves him and his wife helpless as they have been given the run around by the eThekwini Municipality. In a thread of e-mails the SUN has seen, Pillay details his pleas to the various department officials.
“Everyone from the municipality is involved, but nothing is being done about this dangerous situation. We think that if someone were to lose their life, eThekwini will get out of its slumber. Over the years, the wall has moved considerably and is now leaning towards our house, with the next rains, this wall will fall and destroy our house,” he said.
The wall in question is allegedly built on top of a stormwater and sewer pipe and Pillay further alleged that it was built illegally, and with the recent rains, things took a disastrous turn. “The situation has worsened, the illegal wall is slanting towards my house, the last rains have caused the 9-meter wall to move, the cracks have widened. As stated in my e-mails to the building inspectorate, we are holding the municipality responsible for allowing the wall to be constructed, after many written complaints,” he wrote.
The gardening enthusiast was forced to move some of his plants and trees into pots as seepage from the stormwater and sewage pipes run directly into his garden. Also added to his yard is a two-meter deep pit that collects the redirected water. “There is no longer a garden wall to protect the big wall, the 1.2-meter garden wall collapsed and it is now even more dangerous. I’ve also had to forge a channel so that the water could flow in one direction,” said Pillay.
Neighbour and friend to the Pillays, who spoke on condition of anonymity said it was only a matter of time before the wall collapsed. “How would anyone sleep knowing that there is a wall like this facing their house? And to add to that, there’s sewage water that is very smelly. I’m wondering where the problem is with the municipality, why don’t they act? This is a very simple matter, why the postponements? You don’t have to be qualified in the fields of surveying or architecture to declare that there has been a structural encroachment, just observing the boundary, I can tell. Every time it rains, I worry about my neighbours,” he said.
In an e-mail to the unit head of water and sanitation, ward 64 councillor, Gavin Hegter, stated that the wall had previously collapsed and damaged the stormwater and sewer line.”Firstly, it is a waste for you to repair the line if the stormwater line is not repaired as this is still undermining the structure. The entire structure is going to collapse. Secondly, I was informed by officials that there are no funds available for the required repairs. I ask that this matter be treated as urgent and you not only attempt to find the necessary funds but it would also be appreciated if you could talk to your colleagues in coastal stormwater and try to get them to repair the stormwater line. I have had no success in this regard,” he wrote.
Hegter added that the municipality needed a quicker turn around time at addressing illegal buildings and businesses in the city. “I’ve repeatedly questioned why the municipality would drag its heels when an elderly couple is fearing for their lives. Should anything happen, I will ensure that the responsible officials are held accountable,” he said.
However, claims of the boundary wall being illegal were refuted by the neighbour-accused who produced a detailed plan for the wall. “I am just as concerned for my neighbour about the wall, however, it has been standing for over 12 years now and construction was okayed by the municipality, therefore cannot be illegal,” said Zanele Muthwa.
She added that she too was waiting for the municipality to advise a way forward and hoped for a quick resolute.
Comment from eThekwini Municipality was not available at the time of publication.
To report leaks, burst pipes, illegal connections, blocked sewer drains, water supply interruptions or any other water-related issue to eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Unit, send a WhatsApp to 073-148-3477, SMS to 43554, call 08013 13 013 toll-free faults line or e-mail Eservices@durban.gov.za.
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