Fourways resident in Ward 115, and ward councillor Mark Van der Merwe, have slammed Johannesburg Water (JW) for failing to repair a dangerous, water-filled excavation that has been leaking for a year on Pritchard Street. Wasting water and damaging roads.

Van der Merwe described the situation as unacceptable, noting that the leak began in February 2024, started leaking again in June 2024, and has never been fully repaired. “There’s a hole about two and a half metres deep, filled with water. The water has been running down this road into Witkoppen Road for about nine months. It’s causing potholes, it’s dangerous, and it’s a waste of water.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 115 Cllr Mark Van der Merwe shows a deep, water-filled excavation on Pritchard Street in Fourways that has been leaking for a year, flooding roads and causing potholes while Johannesburg Water fails to repair it despite repeated complaints. Video: Supplied #caxtonlocalmedia #joburgwater #fourwaysreview #fyp #trendingvideo ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

He confirmed the issue has been escalated multiple times by himself, the urban inspector, and residents, but nothing has been done by JW.

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Van der Merwe added that it is not the first time the community has been forced to live with dangerous, open excavations for extended periods. “On the corner of Conduit and Government roads, the community had to fill the excavation themselves, after waiting for JW for over two years.”

Residents are worried about safety risks to children and motorists, further road damage, and unnecessary water wastage amid water restrictions and supply challenges in the city.

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Fourways Review reached out to JW for a comment. Puleng Mopeli requested the reference number and said: “I will follow up with the depot.”

More information will be provided once it becomes available.