Damage to water pipe blamed on lack of municipal assistance
Infrastructure plans not available: Herotel
After contractors digging trenches for Herotel internet fibre hit a water mains in Anglers Way last Thursday, Herotel blamed Ndlambe Municipality for being unhelpful in providing infrastructure plans, and said the municipality’s water superintendent had even refused to turn off the water.
A resident alerted Talk of the Town about the burst pipe shortly before 11am on Friday.
She said it appeared the contractors had not yet contacted the municipality to assist.
When TotT got there, water was streaming down Anglers Way, running into the storm drain and pooling in Mentone Road.
TotT followed the stream of water to its source on the corner of Anglers Way and Kabeljou Street, and posted a video of the leak later that day.
Workers for the contractor were on site waiting for assistance.
Another resident in Mentone Road said he had called the municipality, which had still not arrived by the time TotT left.
TotT sent queries to Border Internet regional growth manager Anne Bhagwan and municipal spokesperson Cecil Mbolekwa.
“The municipality doesn’t have any plans available for its infrastructure,” Bhagwan said.
“Enoch [Jobela, the water superintendent] was assigned to assist us, but would not provide us with assistance which means we went in blindly. [Infrastructure deputy director] Mr [Sipho] Babama has subsequently appointed someone else to assist us.
“We phoned Enoch immediately, and he refused to come out for assistance or to turn off the water.
“Our PM [project manager] immediately called Mr Babama and he said he will get someone out to help us close the water soonest,” Bhagwan said.
Asked if Herotel or its contracted trench diggers would pay for the water loss and damage, she said: “The contractor has paid for the repairs to the damaged pipe. Water loss is still to be calculated, however, there may be a dispute regarding this as Enoch repeatedly refused to assist us, prolonging the incident.”
Mbolekwa said: “Herotel reported the issue of the burst pipe and they started fixing the leak, after which the municipality helped the contractor to return the water to the community.
“With regards to water loss, that matter will be dealt with by the municipality, including the issue of the municipal official concerned.”