The situation in White River is getting worse by the day, despite residents trying to get the City of Mbombela (CoM) to restore it to its former glory.

This beautiful small town has been left to its own devices to procure drinkable water for almost a year, but it is now becoming known as one with disastrous roads, too.

However, not even the looming elections could move the CoM to close the gaping hole in Peter Graham Street. It appeared three months ago and grew so big that someone planted a tree in it.

The hole is still growing, though not the tree, as it had been removed. The tree did, however, play a role in saving costs in damages to motorists’ vehicles.
According to the affected residents, the road had been dug up by CoM officials who repaired a burst water pipe on January 19.

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One of the residents, Bruce Macaulay, said, “The hole in Peter Graham Street is a major issue. The tree someone planted in it got removed, and yet another vehicle got damaged last weekend. Our town’s biggest preprimary school is in this street, and it is the entrance to our magistrate’s court. But the hole is being ignored, and that is not fair to residents who are paying rates and services.”

Macaulay also said they are calling on local businesses to assist them with soil and tar so they can close the hole themselves, as the municipality has once again failed them.

Meanwhile, a long-time resident in the area, known as Uncle Peter Graham, said the street is one of the busiest, as the town’s court and the preprimary school are both situated on it.

“It has been three months with no action, which shows that they are not willing to close it; they don’t even care that it is inconveniencing motorists and the people who are staying in that area. As a senior who is also a law-abiding citizen, I am asking the municipality to come and close the ditch at least,” he said.

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The ward councillor, Rowan Torr, said the hole had been left by the contractor who was repairing an asbestos water pipe that was in the process of being replaced.
However, the contractor is delaying the process, claiming the CoM has not paid yet.

The CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, acknowledged having received Lowvelder’s enquiry and promised to comment, but by the time of publication he had not responded.