Pensioners’ property flooded in Northcliff
NORTHCLIFF – Infuriated pensioners insist water damaged almost all their valuables inside their property.
The house of pensioners from Northcliff in Weltevreden Road was flooded when an unknown person allegedly opened the water hydrant pipe close to their property on 21 October.
The water ran down through the house causing unexpected, severe damage.
Husband and wife, Sandra and Charles Deetlefs complained that the water ran through passages, a laundry room, kitchen, sitting room and even into their bedroom.
“My expensive bedroom suite is damaged, TV is gone, my cupboards, everything. My house looks like a pig’s den,” said Sandra.
The pensioners alleged that probably an employee of the contractor who was installing a water meter on their property opened the pipe.
“We called Joburg Water and they told us they were sending their engineer urgently – where are they now, it has been three hours, who will pay for this damage,” said Sandra.
She further explained that they would file for civil claims against the utility and the contractor to account.
“I spoke to the supervisor of the contractor on this site and they told me that it had nothing to do with them, they never installed the water meter or opened the hydrant pipe,” she said.
The carpet in the bedroom was flooded, although they swept the water inside their house, electricity tripped and they had to switch off everything except lights.
“The volume of water inside the house was very high. This surely indicates that our municipality is failing people,” complained Charles.
Sandra indicated that she called her insurance, who had promised that they would send people to dry the house. She suspected that the water will probably damage their entire house’s structure.
Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten said she would try to meet with the pensioners, assess the damaged caused and try to find out if it was the responsibility of Joburg Water.
Joburg Water is yet to respond.
Details: Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten 011 6791434; Joburg Water 011 688 1577.
Related articles:
House gets swept away in flood water during NSW storm
