Tasbet Park man alleges to have spent over R70 000 repairing damages caused by municipality
The resident had tried various means to communicate with the municipality for assistance but nothing has been done.
Mr Apie de Lange (72) is pleading with Emalahleni Local Municipality to assist him with a burst stormwater pipe that he first reported in 2018.
De Lange claims that he has continuously and tirelessly reported the matter to the relevant department, the manager of roads and stormwater for over five years now and little to no help has been provided, “The pipe has been outstanding since 2018 and has not been fixed by the municipality. The pipe pressure got too much and it bursts,” he explained.
The stormwater drain is located outside De Lange’s home on Sekelbos Street in Tasbet Park, Extension 1.
The resident claims that he reported the matter again in January, but was only able to get assistance on February 8.
He alleges that the drain was completely dug up and later covered with a huge slump of concrete.
De Lange went on to say that the rain afterwards washed the concrete coverage away which led to his yard and home being completely flooded with water.
He further emphasised that he still contacted and reported the matter on multiple occasions because the stormwater pipe would occasionally burst, “I have spent more than R70 000 installing pipes in efforts to secure and protect my yard,” he explained.
He then outlined that because of this, as an elderly man, he is frequently stressed, especially when it rains as he is worried about the possibility of his home being flooded again.
De Lange said he can not go on vacation or visit family members as he fears that if he leaves his home unattended, he might come back to a flooded home.
The walls to his home that he purchased in 1995 have been damaged and broken down, “I am still asking for the municipality to help me sort out this problem and I wish some assistance can be provided,” he pleaded.
WITBANK NEWS reached out to Emalahleni Municipal Spokesperson Mr Lebo Mofokeng who is yet to reply.
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