Returning from a trip to the shops or a long day at work, residents living along Russel Street had to brave out a difficult T-junction to make it to their homes.

Turning onto the street from Bruyn Road, Noordheuwel homeowners were faced with two options – drive into the oncoming lane over the opposite stop sign or face a heap of soil large enough to scratch the chassis of their cars.

Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) responded to the issue as reported in the News’ 25 September edition, with Refilwe Mabena, MCLM communications representative noting, “Our Utilities Management Services (UMS) division attended to and repaired a burst pipe at the said address. During the reparation, soil was removed to access and repair the pipe.

The required road restoration work was not done by UMS, as it is the function of the municipality’s Public Works, Roads and Transport (PWRT) division.”

Refilwe explained that the problem was caused by simple human error, explaining that, “From our engagement with PWRT, there appears to be no records of a work order which requests for the road to be prepared,” adding that the department has indicated that repairs to the road will be scheduled for the coming week. However, residents have already taken it upon themselves to remove the soil from the road surface, and to repair the damaged road from their own pockets. It remains to be seen what will be left to do for the PWRT division.

Refilwe lastly added on behalf of the MCLM that, “Members of the public should also note that the municipality has been working on 50 per cent staff availability in compliance with managing Covid-19 threats in the workplace and following regulations”.