Residents are concerned about damaged manholes
JOBURG - Locals worried about open manholes that could hurt residents
Opened and barely closed manholes have become a cause for concern in Northern Johannesburg.
Residents have been calling our newsroom with complaints as they try to be heard by Joburg Roads Agency (JRA), and ensure that these holes are secured.
Terry Logie, a resident, complained about a damaged manhole cover near the junction of Vincent Road and 5th Avenue, opposite the Risidale Primary School, in Randburg.
“A child could easily fall into it and die,” said Logie. “However, that doesn’t seem to concern JRA,” he added.
Logie said he reported the damaged manhole to JRA but nothing has been done.
The manhole cover has been damaged since the first week of December.
According to Logie there was, briefly, a yellow plastic barrier, placed in front of the hole, but it has since “disappeared”.
There is also a fully open manhole on 8th Street and Mollie road in Greymont.
Another resident Steve Van Zyl, reported the issue on 2 March.
“No one is listening to me, I went to the council, DA and the press but till now nothing has been done,” he said.
“The hole is deep and is filled with water, if children fall in it they will disappear never to be found,” he reckoned.
Northcliff Melville Times was still waiting for the response from JRA before going to print.
