An accident waiting to happen is what one resident calls the pool of water in Barfield Street.
The root of the problem seems to be a water valve, which was leaking and even after repairs, is leaking water every day.
A resident from the area, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Estcourt News that this leak has been an ongoing problem.
“Uthukela District Municipality repaired it many years ago but in doing so they forgot to put a rubber seal – that was done after a week or two.
The leak was sorted out.
Last year it leaked again only to have them open and repair the valve again but that left the hole open. Since then vegetation is now growing around it and recently, the leak started again near this valve,” explains the resident.
The resident says that Uthukela District Municipality initially said it was underground water and the festering pool of water has been left unattended since.
“My concerns are that school children and pedestrians walk here there are no safety tapes and the area is not cordoned off – if they fall in, a child can drown and/or suffer fractures. If a vehicle gets in we can expect severe damages and loss of life and there is no streetlights working near the hole. This is really a hazard and an accident waiting to happen, the municipality can be charged criminally for any harm caused or death occurring and can be sued for damages.”
Uthukela District Municipality officials went to Barfield Street on Thursday and reported that the ‘storm water manhole’ was the responsibility of Umtshezi Municipality.
But when Umtshezi’s Municipal Manager Nonhlanhla Njoko was contacted for comment, she said that the municipality was not responsible for this leak either.