Safety concerns at the Alberton Service Centre facility have raised alarm after management alleged that leaking municipal water pipes running through the building have caused structural damage.

According to the centre’s manager, Telana de Winnaar, formal complaints were submitted in October 2024 regarding a leaking municipal pipe.

It is alleged that the ongoing leak has caused parts of the building to begin sinking.

Additional concerns include fallen municipal trees damaging the boundary and electric fencing, erosion along the creek boundary, and security breaches following storm damage.

The facility cares for 18 elderly residents.

In response to these concerns, Clr Ivan Naidoo clarified that he was not previously aware of the alleged water leak inside the premises.

“No, I was only made aware of the trees that were damaging the fence, hence my visit,” he said.

Naidoo explained that his October 2024 visit focused specifically on municipal trees that had fallen onto the fence.

“As stated above, my visit was for the trees that were falling on the fence and causing damage. The department was contacted and went into the premises to cut and remove trees, which was done within the week of my visit,” he said. “I was not aware of the water leak,” he stated.

Naidoo said now that he’s aware of the matter, he will escalate it to the relevant departments.

Regarding responsibility, he explained that infrastructure inside the property boundary falls under the owner’s responsibility.

“It is private property, so the city can fix the meter leak outside the premises. However, inside the property is the onus of the owner,” he said.

During his site visit on February 20, Naidoo confirmed that he will arrange for a municipal engineer to assess whether the pipe outside the premises is the cause of the alleged structural damage.

@albertonrecordOn February 20, Naidoo conducted a site visit at 8th Avenue, Louis Trichardt, opposite the Alberton Service Centre, where a water leak reportedly developed into a large sinkhole. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za♬ original sound – Alberton Record

“If the issue is on the municipal side, the matter will be attended to urgently,” he said.

Additional concerns were raised about municipal trees along the creek boundary and erosion affecting the property.

Naidoo said he would report the municipal trees to the city and escalate all the issues raised, including the creek bordering the property, to the relevant departments.

He indicated that the city should visit the centre on February 23 to assess the situation and follow up on the reported concerns.

Sinkhole and access issues raised during the site visit

On February 20, Naidoo conducted a site visit at 8th Avenue, Louis Trichardt, opposite the Alberton Service Centre, where a water leak reportedly developed into a large sinkhole.

At the time of the visit, municipal teams were on site working on repairs. Officials informed Naidoo that the work would be completed by Monday.

However, Naidoo expressed doubt that the repairs would be finalised within that timeframe, suggesting it could take closer to two weeks to fully resolve the matter.

“I’m here today because of this massive pothole that was a water leak originally on the road that has now expanded into a major sinkhole that had to be dug up and sorted out by the department.

@albertonrecordAccording to the centre’s manager, Telana de Winnaar, formal complaints were submitted in October 2024 regarding a leaking municipal pipe. It is alleged that the ongoing leak has caused parts of the building to begin sinking. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ original sound – Alberton Record

“However, this has been going on since December 2025. The department dug this out and has never come back,” he said.

He noted that the incomplete repairs are affecting surrounding businesses and access to the service centre.

“It’s causing major access issues to businesses around as well as to Alberton Service Centre,” he said.

As a temporary measure, Naidoo requested the removal of the traffic island on 9th Avenue to allow two-way access.

“They have removed the island on 9th Avenue, which gives access to a two-way road,” he confirmed.
However, he stressed that a permanent solution is urgently needed.

“This cannot be lying for three months when people don’t have access. Should someone fall into this hole, who is going to take accountability?” he said.