Pipe sabotage leaves Raphah floundering

A water pipe near Raphah is the source of problems for the halfway house.

Yet this is just one of numerous municipal woes it faces.

Bringing to the surface matters costing Raphah thousands, co-founder Sonja Luus explained that many years ago, the land from Van Der Bijl Street to the halfway house’s rear boundary were one.

Over time, she said, the land was divided as per usage.

However, despite the land now distributed between three entities, the water bill remained the onus of Raphah to settle monthly.

“Now we have to cover all the water losses.”

Although this was not initially a serious problem, of late Raphah management have footed thousands in rates, after vagrants reportedly severed the main water pipe for their own needs.

Months wore on, and this trend continued.

“Gerd (Mrs Luus’s husband) approached the vagrants and explained nicely to them. Then our phone lines were cut.”

In an attempt to ward off the vagrants, Mr Luus and helpers from Raphah heaped stones onto the exposed pipe and felled a tree used for shelter by the vagrants.

“These people have no idea of the consequences of their actions. We went out of our way for them, and we have been sabotaged in return.”

Just last week, the pipe was severed again, flooding the area.

Rising bills have forced Raphah management to seal power outlets in residents’ rooms, and the number of people accommodated has dropped to 10. “My husband says I stretch money so hard, the R100 buffalo cries.”

Adding to a list of woes, Mrs Luus mentioned refuse had not been collected for months, leading residents to begin burning litter on-site.

Rising fees, constitute failing services, she added.

“Our problem is, do we pay our rates and not feed residents, or feed residents and not pay our accounts?”

The municipal matters faced by Raphah were communicated to the Newcastle Municipality, although only one aspect was addressed.

Thava Kelly of Waste Management, explained the situation.

She said an arrangement had been made with the foreman that refuse bags were left for collection on Thursdays, and if this was not done, it should have been reported earlier.

“The foreman will go back on site to address this issue.”

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