“I was walking to the shops with my family and didn’t notice the manhole cover was missing,” says 40-year-old Willem.
Willem says while he was walking along the sidewalk with his family, Gert ran towards the manhole and luckily Willem noticed in time that there was no cover and was able to catch Gert before he fell inside the hole.
“I can just imagine what could have happened if my son fell into that hole,” he says, “and when we reported the incident and the manhole to the metro, they were of no assistance.”
“All they said was they would look into it.”
Willem, who reported the incident shortly after it happened, says he is shocked at the lack of urgency the metro has shown in fixing the problem.
“I feel like my complaints fall on deaf ears,” he adds, “they do not take our grievances seriously, which makes me question why they are in the service delivery sector.”
Willem adds that residents have taken it upon themselves to fill the holes with litter so they are not as intimidating to pedestrians, although it does not alleviate the gravity of the matter.
“One of the residents told me he fills the hole with litter to protect children who may get hurt as a result of falling into the hole,” he explains, “which shouldn’t be the case because the metro workers must just come and do their jobs.”
He also adds a lot of the blocked pipes in Springs are a result of the litter in the manholes, which could be resolved if the manhole covers were replaced regularly.
“The streets are full of manholes which pose a threat to children and elderly people,” says Willem, “it’s as if tragedy must strike before the council takes any of this seriously.”
Questions have been sent to the metro for comment.
