Broadacres fumes over three-year Haven Road water leak
A burst pipe on Haven Road in Broadacres has been left leaking for three years, creating potholes, endangering motorists, and fuelling frustrations over Johannesburg Water’s failure to act.
As the city grapples with critical water shortages and imposed restrictions, Broadacres residents and motorists are left to suffer from a three-year old leak.
The water leak, on Haven Road, has left residents irritated and frustrated as potholes worsen, cars are damaged, and Johannesburg Water (JW) fails to intervene.
Residents say the neglected pipe has turned one of the community’s busiest back routes into a dangerous obstacle course.
Read more: Aging pipes leave Lonehill residents with constant bursts and dry taps
“This is one of the few back roads that we use every day to take our children to school. You can imagine the traffic during rush hours. Because of the massive potholes this leak has created, drivers go into the oncoming lane to be able to get through, which leads to frustration and road rage,” said resident Maj Saffari.
He added that the risks become even more severe at night.
“For drivers who are new to the area, they go through the deep hidden pothole which results in burst tyres or even more damage to their vehicles.”
Saffari, who has repeatedly reported the issue, said his pleas have gone unanswered.
“I have personally reported this pipe burst many times, and I have sent videos, pictures, and lengthy messages to social groups and relevant authorities, but absolutely nothing has been done about it.”
He called on the city to urgently prioritise the leak, warning that neglecting critical infrastructure repairs is equivalent to ignoring a patient in crisis.
Also read: Residents fear repeat tragedy as Witkoppen leak drags
“One must think of a city or a town as a patient in an emergency room. To stabilise the patient, you must first attend to the life-threatening injuries, which, in this case, is our burst water pipes, sewerage overflow, and air pollution. Anything that can exacerbate the problem must be stopped.”
Fourways Reviews efforts to reach out to Ward 96 councillor Rufas Maswazi for comment were unsuccessful. We also reached out to JW on September 9. Spokesperson Nolwazi Shabalala acknowledged the inquiry, saying:
“I will send the inquiry to the depot for more information.” When we followed up on September 11, the attempt was unsuccessful.
More information will be provided once they respond.
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