Bergendal residents have had enough of the neglect

GRAAFF-REINET — Two years ago, the Graaff-reinet Advertiser reported on the state of neglect that was evident in many of the houses in Bergendal owned by the Department of Roads and Public Works.

The Department sent a team to the area and promised to act against tenants who were not looking after their properties. At that stage, an amount of R31-million was needed for renovations to the 137 houses owned by the Department.

This time last year, the Advertiser was made aware of another recent complaint regarding the Department’s homes in Bergendal. A pool of water had collected in the backyard of a home on the corner of President Burger Ave and Woeke Street.

Apart from the sanitation problem, the water was also a breeding ground for mosquitos and flies. The building was thought to be also suffering damage as the water was pooled up against it.

At that stage, the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality explained that a previous inhabitant of the home, most probably in an effort to save water, had laid a pipe that would lead the bathwater outside which could then be used to water the grass outside.

The Environmental Health Practitioner ad- vised the current inhabitant of the house to look into unblocking the pipe.

Mphumzi Zuzile (media liaison officer of the Department of Roads and Public Works) stated that a technical team had been on site, and confirmed that it is a departmental pipe that burst, which the tenant had not reported.

“We are warning others who stay in government property that if discovered that they are deliberately neglecting the property, the Department will not hesitate to terminate their contracts”.

According to the neighbours, it took months to sort out but was never satisfactorily repaired.

A year later, and nothing has changed. the Advertiser has received photos this week showing that water is STILL pooling in the neglected yard of the same house.

“This stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and gives off a terrible stench,” said a neighbour, who is also concerned that the standing water will have affected the condition of the walls of the house.

To add to the problems, the water meter at the property, which apparently belongs to the municipality, has been leaking for several months now.

“Once a month a municipal official comes to read the meter - surely he should have reported it even if the owner didn’t?” said an irate neighbour.

The municipality has been asked for comment, but at time of going to press, has not responded.

Zuzile has also been contacted again, but it seems that the Department isn’t interested in the problems associated with their houses.

The Department is in the process of disposing of all their houses in Graaff-reinet.

“A submission was forwarded in June 2017 to the General Manager: Immovable Asset Management to recommend to HOD the disposal of these houses in their current state through Public Tender or Auction,” said Zuzile.

“The Region is still awaiting the approval of the disposal of these houses as recommended”.

A resident of the area commented, “It seems that the health risk posed to other residents in the area is of no interest, with the inference clearly given that the neighbours must sort out their own problems”.

This lack of accountability and disregard for the health risk has angered the affected neighbours, and they are concerned that the value of their property could depreciate considerably if these Department houses continue to be neglected. A pool of water has collected in the backyard of a home on the corner of President Burger Ave and Woeke Street, Bergendal.