Watch: Flooded road causing a headache for Willowmoore High learners
Learners were forced to walk along the railway line on February 2 after overnight rain flooded the road and pavement leading to the school.
What began as an ordinary school morning quickly turned into a risky obstacle course for learners at Willowmoore High on February 2.
After heavy overnight rain flooded the road and pavement leading to the school, several learners were left with no safe passage.
Instead of walking along a designated pedestrian route, they were forced onto the railway line, navigating loose rocks, steep inclines and dense vegetation just to make it to class.
@benonicitytimes Willowmoore High School learners were forced to walk onto the railway line after overnight rain flooded the road and pavement leading to the school premises on February 2.
With the usual access route submerged, pupils had to climb a steep embankment to reach the railway tracks, balance their way across the uneven stones for several metres, and then push through trees as they descended toward the school premises.
“We’ve been battling with the road leading to the school entrance for the last six to eight months. When it rains, the water doesn’t drain, leading to flooding,” said acting principal Jacque Lamprecht.
He said the problem was caused by a clogged drain, adding that it was worsened by waste pickers who dip boxes in water in the drain to make them heavy before selling them for recycling.
“This year alone, we’ve had two learners bumped by cars. The water on the road is a concern and has become a health and safety hazard, as the blocked drains and water on the surface are causing problems for the school. The road is also sinking.
“The waste pickers worsen the problem because they come with their paper, dip it in the water to make it heavier before selling it. We’ve chased them away, but with no luck at this stage.”
After being alerted to the matter, the Benoni City Times escalated the issue to the City of Ekurhuleni for comment.
In its response on February 5, the city confirmed it is aware of the flooding problem. It stated that a team would attend to the area once conditions allow and the site has sufficiently dried up.
“There’s a big trench that needs to be cleaned by an excavator. This cannot happen for now due to the area being extremely wet,” said CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
“We don’t have any record of this being reported. However, now that we know about it, the team has investigated and can confirm that when the area dries up, the trench will be attended to by an excavator. We have already identified the kerb inlets in the street.”
Referring to the sinkhole that’s forming on a part of the road leading to the school, Dlamini said the city sent a team to inspect the site on February 11 and will attend to it once they are done with another sinkhole on the corner of Harpur Avenue and Liverpool Street.
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