Linmeyer family trapped in water catastrophe

LINMEYER – While many residents in Linmeyer and the South of Joburg are still battling without water for the tenth day running, the Pereira family have a huge water leak flooding their driveway and into the next door neighbour’s property.

Lee-Anne Pereira lives on the corner of Adrian and Bianca streets, Linmeyer and at 02:00 on Monday morning, September 29, one of the family’s car alarms went off. When they went to investigate they saw the car was in water and a torrent of fresh water was gushing down their driveway.

“We began phoning the City of Joburg emergency number right away (0860 562 874) and got absolutely no where! I then tried 011 688 1500 and was told this number had been discontinued. Since then we have repeatedly tried 011 375 5555. My husband spoke to a woman eventually who was actually very rude to him and asked why we didn’t report the leak when we first discovered it,” said an angry Lee-Anne.

“We haven’t been able to go to work because the paving has already sunk in and we are fearful our vehicles will get stuck. If this isn’t an emergency, then I don’t know what is,” added Lee-Anne.

The Pereira’s wall could break from the water leak.

The CHRONICLE arrived at the house at 12:40 and a stream of water was gushing down the garden alongside the wall and through into the neighbour’s garden. “Thousands of litres of water is being wasted when other residents have no water at all. It’s an absolute disgrace.

“The paving at the top of our drive has collapsed from the water and some of the tarmac is lifting. We are very worried our wall will fall over and we have huge trees in the garden. If the roots become too waterlogged they could fall over onto our home.

“We don’t know what to do. When will someone come out to help us,” asked an upset Lee-Anne.

At 14:30, after more urgent phone calls, the water is still gushing through the Pereira’s garden.