Dangerous open manhole finally fixed in Fontainebleau
After six months of standing open, the dangerous manhole on Elise and Rabie roads in Fontainebleau has finally been repaired and covered.
After seven months of reporting an open manhole on the corner of Elise and Rabie roads in Fontainebleau, it has been repaired and closed.
Resident Andre Kruse first reported the issue in July 2024 to Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA). With no action taken for his enquiry he continued to escalate the matter. He explained that the hole was dangerous, and it required immediate repairs. He reported it after an accident where a resident stepped into it and tripped and fell, hurting a leg and arm.
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He confirmed that the manhole has been fixed and covered. “It is unacceptable that it takes so long to react to problems logged. They need to take these seriously, and revert if follow up communications are done. I do not mind following up, except that it takes time, as there are so many problems that are old and just not done. So, they are wasting our valuable time by not doing the work as they should, at every level.”
Kruse added that he wants entities under the city to react to problems logged and do repairs, within the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
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“This long wait for these problems is unacceptable. They need to fix things, and respond to mails advising if not fixed, with planned dates of start and finish. The longer they take to repair things, the more it costs us, the rate payers. When JRA just lets things grow it costs us ratepayers more and more money. They waste our money.”
Khaya Gqibitole, JRA head of regional operations, admitted that open manholes on busy roads are a critical safety hazard and require urgent attention to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. However, the manhole on Elise and Rabie roads belongs to Link Africa, as the missing infrastructure falls within the road reserve.
“But to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians, JRA notified them to replace the cover. For manholes under JRA it takes a period of 1–2 days to replace. Other entities, with infrastructure in the road reserve, also need to ensure quick turnaround, or put the necessary safety measures in place, such as barricading, to ensure the safety of the public.”
He added that the entity would like to reassure residents and road users that their safety is their concern.
“Should a member of the public be injured due to an open manhole cover belonging to JRA, or for any of our infrastructure, the public is able to claim under the JRA public liability claim. In a case such as this, where it is a Link Africa manhole cover, should any injury arise, a liability claim would need to be lodged with Link Africa.”
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