On August 7, Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe was alerted to a serious issue involving a burst manhole near the infamous Greymont Bridge. The situation has now escalated to a public health concern, as raw sewage is reportedly bubbling up and flowing downstream, even reaching private property on Stellenberg Road. “It’s a health hazard, and a disgrace,” Fourie-Shawe stated.

Read more: Pollution and sewage threaten Westdenes waterways

The councillor was informed about the manhole burst by one of the civic organisations that monitor the rivers in the area. She emphasised that this incident highlights a troubling reality: The infrastructure in Johannesburg is crumbling before our eyes. “This is symptomatic of a greater issue in the city, regarding the administration’s failure to prioritise maintenance and repairs.”

Fourie-Shawe expressed her frustration over the deteriorating state of the city’s infrastructure, stating that such incidents are a constant reminder of the challenges she faces in her role. “When I see this, this is what I always think about. This is why I am here, and why I fight.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe speaks on the findings of Johannesburg Water on the manhole that burst on August 07, near the Greymont Bridge. #Ward86 #Johannesburgwater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

She added that Johannesburg Water was alerted about the issue, sending an operations manager to assess and investigate the root cause of the repeated failures, so that repairs can take place.

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