‘Metro cost me a business deal’
A business owner in Silverton claims he has lost a business deal because of the metro's inability to finish and tidy up an area of construction in front of his business.
A business owner in Silverton is fuming over the loss of business he has had to suffer, allegedly at the hands of the Tshwane metro. According to him, the water pipe repair team have made deliveries and dispatches from the business a costly exercise.
The business owner’s woes started in December when a water main burst in front of his business.The team repaired the burst pipe but failed to cover the trench after they completed their work. During January, a prominent chain store considered adding the business to its chain, but, allegedly, this deal fell through due to the unsightly nature of the business’ entrance – the result of the metro’s failure to cover the trench in front of the business.
“I was very disappointed,” said the owner, Vincent Duvenhage. “I work very hard to keep this business operational. Now, making deliveries and attracting new clients is almost impossible. All the metro had to do was fill the trench after completing the job. Why must we wait for another team to fill the trench, it’s been a month.”
Ward Councillor Nick Pascoe told Rekord that it was clear that the metro was unable to complete projects. “The same team that digs the trench to get to the burst pipe can surely close the trench. I don’t understand why there has to be a second team. This is a business that relies largely on having access to and from their premises for deliveries and dispatching. This business owner, who provides jobs for the metro’s residents, has now, unfortunately, lost out on possible future business relations due to the unsightly entrances.”
Furthermore, he suggested that the owner would be claiming losses against the metro. He also requested better implementation of jobs. “This is not a new scenario. The metro must work on their procedure or employ more teams. Their inaction is costing businesses money in this metro,” Pascoe said.
The metro could not comment on possible claims procedures against it, but said that plumbing teams were under stress due to the large number of problems they had to attend to. The metro said it would investigate the allegations of uncompleted reports.
