Open excavation a major concern for Fourways residents
Frustration grows as Johannesburg Water leaves an excavation open for three weeks and counting, posing serious safety concerns for students and residents in Fourways, especially since the excavation is right outside a Preschool.
It has been over three weeks since Johannesburg Water (JW) left an open excavation at the intersection of Robin and Alexander avenues, causing big concerns for residents of Fourways.
The excavation was dug after a pipe burst on December 20, 2024, and is located below Fourways High School, in front of Mi Kinder Preschool. This situation has become a safety risk for both students and motorists.
Read more: Joburg Water says there no estimated time to restore water in Paulshof and Lonehill
Ward 115 councillor Mark Van der Merwe expressed his worry about the ongoing problem. He said it is urgent, especially since schools are opening this week, on January 15.
“We need to ensure the safety of our community. With more traffic and students returning to school, we cannot allow this unsafe condition to continue. This is a busy road during school season, and if it is not fixed on time this is going to be major chaos.
“What makes this even more scary is that the rain has filled up the excavation, making it even more dangerous for the children using the road,” said Van der Merwe.
On January 4, a motorcycle accident happened when the driver fell into the open trench.
Fortunately, Van der Merwe confirmed that there were no serious injuries reported, but this incident has made residents, and the ward councillor, even more anxious and frustrated about the situation.
With the threat of accidents looming, community members are demanding urgent action from JW.
Also read: The sewage issue at Lonehill Dam persists despite Johannesburg Waters repairs
Van der Merwe said he tried to contact JW many times over the past three weeks but hasn’t received much response.
“We deserve better service and care regarding our infrastructure,” he said, noting that there were over 100 pipe bursts in his ward in 2024 alone.
To address these issues, Van der Merwe shared that he has successfully secured capital expenditure (Capex) funds, which he plans to use to upgrade the infrastructure to fix the ongoing problems with pipe bursts and leaks in his ward as part of his plan for the year. “This has become a nightmare for our community. We must focus on the safety and well-being of our residents.”
Fourways Review reached out to Nolwazi Dhlamini, JW’s marketing and communication officer, who said: “Your query is noted and has been forwarded to the relevant depot for more information.”
No further information was received before going to print, but it will be provided once it becomes available.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Water leaks mean a quarter of the water for the city is lost
