Residents in Johannesburg North have raised concerns about what they describe as unfinished repair work by municipal departments, saying it is damaging the look and safety of their neighbourhood.

Henry van Zyl, a resident of Rose Street, contacted the Randburg Sun after what he said was the second repair by Johannesburg Water to a water leak in Church Street. According to Van Zyl, the first repair was done more than six months ago, and the latest work took place recently. In both cases, the dug-up areas were not properly restored.

Read more: Bram Fischer watering hole still leaking despite repairs

Van Zyl said there are at least eight similar sites along Church Street where trenches or patches remain unfinished.

“My son pays around R9 000 a month in rates and taxes,” said Van Zyl. “Yet neither Johannesburg Water nor City Power seems to understand that leaving these repairs unfinished is slowly degrading the entire area. This is totally unacceptable.”

He added that while residents understand that repairs are necessary, the failure to restore pavements and roads afterwards creates long-term problems, including uneven surfaces, visual decline and possible safety risks for pedestrians and motorists.

The Randburg Sun has sent questions to Johannesburg Water regarding the repeated repairs and the lack of restoration work, and is awaiting feedback.

Residents are now calling on the City of Johannesburg and its utilities to not only fix leaks, but to fully restore areas once work is completed, as part of proper service delivery and respect for ratepayers.

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