A Westville family is still waiting for repairs to be done on their property which was damaged during the April 2022 floods.

Tashveer Mungal, the property owner, said these damages left his family home without a fence and with an unusable garden.

Mungal said water flowing from a municipal servitude alongside his Atholl Heights property during the floods washed away boundary fencing, eroded the driveway and surrounding ground, uprooted trees and damaged private sewer and stormwater infrastructure.

Approximately four and a half years later, the affected portion of the property remains unrepaired, leaving the family concerned about security, among other issues.

“My family should be able to feel secure in our home and safely use our garden. We need the municipality to bring this longstanding matter to a practical resolution,” said Mungal.

According to Mungal, the water carried substantial quantities of sand, soil and debris into his yard and deposited material onto the road running along his property. The flow stripped away ground, damaged paving and banks, exposed tree roots and disrupted services.

Also read: Residents raise complaints about roads in Summerveld

The damage also affected access to the property, making it impossible for the family to enter and leave their home at the time.

Mungal said two sewer manholes situated close to his boundary appeared to be defective after the heavy rainfall, and he observed water flowing out of them.

He said a municipal investigation was needed to establish the condition of the manholes and connecting pipes, determine whether the sewer system overflowed or became surcharged, and establish how stormwater moved through the servitude.

 “My position is that uncontrolled water flow from the servitude caused the washaways on my property,” he said.

Mungal said the matter has been brought to the attention of municipal representatives, the ward councillor and an inspector.

However, Mungal said he had not received any feedback on how the repairs would be done. 

“I am a ratepayer and have been patient for approximately four and a half years,” he said, calling for meaningful action to restore the damaged areas and provide a lasting solution.

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