Edge of road a danger to motorists
THE residents of Bondale Place in Newlands West has pleaded with the ethekwini Municipality to restore the retaining wall that collapsed more than a year ago. They said it could cause serious accidents for motorists.
Bondale is a narrow road on a slope. The underground soil has eroded, leaving the edge of the tarmac hanging in the air. As a result, the road surface has been cracking and residents feared that an accident could happen. Both sides of the road have no pavement and has become a one-way street.
It is believed the wall collapsed early last year after heavy rains. Residents claimed that municipal workers left the manhole open and water seeped through, causing the collapse.
Resident Douglas Makhanya said he was the most affected. He was still waiting to be compensated by the municipality for the damages to his property. He was assured by the water and sanitation department, he said.
When his retaining wall collapsed, it damaged his car. He said the city promised to rebuild the wall and repair his car. A year since he lodged his claim, nothing has been done.
“I submitted everything as per their request. They fixed the driveway only, temporarily, and promised to come back. I wonder when that will be?”
Makhanya said they lived in fear because the road kept sinking.
“The municipal workers told me not to worry about fixing my retaining wall because they were going to take care of everything.
“The main pipe burst after the bank collapsed, and it has not been fixed properly either. We are fed up with their empty promises. I cannot recall how many times I have been to municipal offices over this issue.”
Gansen Perimal whose house was opposite to Makhanya’s said he had also lobbied municipal workers to attend to the matter, to no avail. He said the only response he had received from the city were reference numbers.
“Although this happened opposite my home, it affects a lot of people who drive here. My daughters are learning to drive; they are afraid to pass this place and it is just opposite my gate. It is very scary to reverse from my driveway.
“This mess should be fixed before the road deteriorates further. If we leave the road in this condition, it could become problematic one day. Since we reported this matter we have been getting promises only, but no action.
“The municipality workers came to take photographs and measurements and I was hoping something would come out of that.
“That road is going to collapse one of these days and the frightening thing is that cars could land on our house. You can see the surface is cracking because of the erosion.”
ethekwini head of communications Tozi Mthethwa said: “The matter has been referred to the relevant department. Concerns about maintenance of roads and stormwater systems may be lodged with a 24-hour call centre on toll-free 080 131 30 13 or e-mail Eservices@durban.gov.za.”