Residents cry foul after flood

RESIDENTS of a Durban neighbourhood are fed up with the eThekwini Metro for not fixing infrastructure damaged by heavy rains two months ago.

Angry KwaMakhutha residents said the municipality was neglecting them because other nearby neighbourhoods had been fixed after heavy rains in July left roads with huge potholes, burst water pipes and electricity cables exposed.

Motorists are experiencing problems when using the south of Durban township’s main road as they have to avoid fresh potholes causing traffic congestion, especially during morning and afternoon peak hours. They have to use one lane as the other one was badly damaged, leaving a 10-metre-long hole in the road.

Residents accuse the municipality of fixing the roads to Amanzimtoti and Kingsway, places where the well-off live. Roads there were also badly damaged by the heavy rain. Sfiso Ngcongo said some residents have to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport because of the big potholes.

“These potholes have caused many accidents here because we’re using one lane since the other one was badly damaged. What really worries us is that we don’t hear anything from the municipality and it’s clear we’re neglected while paying taxes like other people out there,” Ngcongo said.

Residents are worried that if it rains heavily again, the left lane will be flooded and they will not be able to go to work. Some are afraid the exposed electricity cables in their yards could electrocute their children if not fixed.

Another resident, Sibongiseni Mhlongo, said: “We urge the municipality to fix the infrastructure here because if not, we’re going to take to the streets. We have minibuses carrying lots of people so that’s why we need good roads to avoid accidents.”

He said the leaking water pipes have created small dams in residents’ yards. Mhlongo said they have reported the leaking water pipes but no action has been taken.

“Another thing, we are one of the big townships in Durban but we don’t have even one robot. We shift the blame to the municipality for the accidents that have taken place in some intersections here.”

eThekwini spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said it was working to ensure damaged infrastructure was fixed as soon as possible. “We’re doing all in our power … [to provide residents] with outstanding services regardless of where they live. We’re going to intervene in concerns raised by KwaMakhutha residents.”

“Minibuses carry lots of people so we need good roads to avoid accidents