Problem manhole still not sorted out
The unfinished project puts the lives of children and other residents in danger.
Work at a dangerous open manhole in Khutsong Ext 3 is still not complete.
Residents of this part of Khutsong have been complaining of severe sewage leaks for years.
These leaks are the worst in the area of Hlanganani Primary School, where large sections of the veld are flooded at times.
To make matters worse this area is known for being prone to sinkholes. More than 10 sinkholes have caved in at various points among the veld near the school during the past 15 years.
Although the Merafong City Local Municipality has said in the past that much of these problems will be solved if a manhole at the last corner before one street to the school is fixed, they are taking their time in doing this work.
Despite the fact that there was a contractor that started to work at the site in September, they left after only a week, leaving the massive hole still open. The municipality never provided answers on why this happened.
Except for the fact that sewage constantly leaked into the open sinkhole, increasing the danger of yet another sinkhole forming, the deep hole and large pipes left at the scene pose a danger to the children who walk past the site daily.
Although the hole itself was cordoned off, the kids could still play among the huge concrete and other material left at the site while there was no work in progress. Luckily work at the site started again this week and the contractor, at last, fixed the pipes that caused the sewage leaks.
The hole and the site are, however, still open. Some workers at the site say that they struggle to keep it close because children steal the barrier tape. Questions about when the work will eventually be completed were sent to the municipality’s marketing and communications manager, Temba Fezani, but no feedback was received. |
