When will Middelburg be restored to it’s former glory?
Where potholes used to be filled properly gravel is now sloppily thrown into them, sewer leaks spring forth onto the premises of nursery schools and waste continues to plague pedestrians who navigate the streets of the central business district.
Residents who have been hounded by on-and-off service delivery are rightfully asking, when will Middelburg be restored to it’s former glory?
•Residents have sent numerous complaints of the growing stretch of potholes on Protea Street, right at the bend that turns into Karee Street. Their location on a blind bend has become a danger for unsuspecting motorists, who have to brake suddenly to avoid damage to their vehicles.
The potholes were filled with grit on Friday, but the heavy flow of traffic has trodden the gravel down.
•Photos were also shared by residents in Brug Street of a pothole near the Nkangala TVET College, which claimed the tyre of a motorist.
One resident who wished to warn motorists pointed out that the surface has been sinking away for several years, after a resident blocked the storm water drains with refuse bags. The resident mentioned that a military vehicle has also ended up on the sidewalk after swerving out for the pothole.
•Raw sewerage spilled into the play area of Bright Star Nursery School during the municipal strike, placing the wellbeing of its learners in danger.
A staff member told www.mobserver.co.za of how the raw sewerage which originally flowed into the street, finally pushed onto their premises and into the playground for over a week.
Several reports to the municipality fell on deaf ears, and only once contacting a Ward Councillor, were contractors finally arranged.
•Residents were also fuming when they took leave of work to queue at the licensing department on Friday, only to be pointed away because the department had not yet opened.
After news was received that municipal services resumed on Thursday, the residents rightfully expected that the department would be up and running a day later. The licensing offices, however, only opened on Monday.
It is evident that while the municipal strike is over, workers have no intention on restoring the town to the state it was before the labour disputes began.
•A media enquiry was issued to the STLM communication office, on when road maintenance teams will be dispatched to repair the worn out streets. No response was received before time of publication.
