Johannesburg Water has attended to and repaired the leak at the corner of Barkston Drive and Mackay Avenue in Blairgowrie, but the hole, which has been a safety concern since July 2025, remains.

Resident Gwyneth Cox, who lives near the hole, described the situation as dangerous and disgusting. She recently cleaned it, as it was filled with filth. “We have been battling since July for the water company and the road company to come and fix this mess. It’s dangerous to people walking along here, and for motorists. After sealing off the pipe, they just left things like this. It’s just mind-blowing how they can just not finish one job properly and move to the next.” She added peak hour traffic has created further damage.

Read more: Church Street leaks fixed, but road not restored

During the repairs, a street pole containing cameras was also removed, with the foundation concrete simply being put on the side of the road after being taken out of the ground. The cameras, along with the pole, have not been replaced, and the concrete block remains on the side of the road, an obstacle for pedestrians.

Read more: Church Street leaks fixed but not restored

Ward 99 councillor Hendrik Bodenstein is also frustrated about the trench and the unfinished work. He promised to continue escalating the matter further until the road is resurfaced. “I will try my best to get the entity to come and finish the work.

Johannesburg Water was sent questions, and their response will be published once it is made available.

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