Birch Acres resident fed up with a manhole

Life for Birch Acres resident Godfrey Mkhwanazi has become a living hell.

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Mkhwanazi said he has been fighting an uphill battle with the municipality since February after a large manhole was excavated on his property.

According to him, in February contractors asked him to do construction on his property to access a main drain that kept blocking up.

“The contractors dug up the main drain and completed the project in April. When they were done, contractors only closed a portion of the hole,” he said.

Mkhwanazi added that since then, no one had returned to close the hole and clean his yard.

“I have tried to contact the municipality regarding the contractor that was working in my yard and I was told that they will come back as they are still busy.”

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When Mkhwanazi contacted the contractor, he was told someone would arrive to fix the problem.

“The excuse was that the tractor the contractors used was sent in for a service.

“I don’t think it is true and they are just making an excuse because they sent me a message stating that they will come and fix everything on June 5.

“At the time they came to do repairs I had a cottage with a tenant. We had to make other alternative ways to give the constructor some space to work, but now my tenant is homeless.”

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Mkhwanazi said that he doesn’t feel safe in his own yard.

“I moved all the furniture that was in the cottage to my garage and now my car is parked outside, which is not safe. I don’t even know who to contact anymore, because am always told that they will prioritise the matter.

“I am left with a huge hole in my yard, probably two meters deep,” said Mkhwanazi.

According to Sosobala Mnguni, supervisor for MM Civils Contraction Company, they are aware of the contraction project that took place in Birch Acres.

“We had payment issues with Ekurhuleni, causing delays in finishing up the outstanding reinstatements. We are planning to complete the outstanding work before or on July 14.

“We are going to take funds from other projects in order to finish up this one because we are still waiting for payments from the City of Ekurhuleni.”

Kempton Express sent an enquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni on June 29. A comment was requested on June 30.
In time of going to print no comment was received.