“It’s really hectic…that’s all I can say…” that is how a family member described the situation at their home in Elizabeth Avenue on Sunday evening.

Water gushed into the family’s driveway after a burst water pipe ruptured outside their home. What was a quiet afternoon spending time together, sent the family into a frenzied mopping up mode to limit the water damage from spreading to other parts of the home.

“The burst started at about 4.30pm and we phoned the call centre immediately. We must have called more than four times thereafter because the water was flooding our yard,” said a family member. Finally more than an hour later, the water flow was stemmed but the damage was already done.

Two garages, a bedroom and the yard were flooded with water from the burst pipe. The family was very disappointed in the service received by Uthukela District Municipality and have accused the customer care centre receptionist for the extent of the damage done to their home.

“It is the receptionist’s fault. She is not fit to work in an office environment and was very rude,” said one of the family members. These and other concerns and questions have been passed onto the district municipality’s communication officer who has forwarded this to the relevant departments.