Metro addresses unfinished work that poses a threat to Lyttelton community

A resident from Lyttelton Manor, Centurion, has been pulling his hair out in frustration over damage to his property allegedly caused by the Tshwane metro.

Resident and businessman, Arthur Mallandain (78), said the metro started working on a pipeline at the corner of Langebrink Road and Pretorius Street about six months ago.

“The work was halted I believe because the metro could not pay the contractor, however, the site was never secured. Huge holes and exposed wires and pipes were left just like that.

“There are no less than six nursery schools in the vicinity, and Laerskool Louis Leipoldt is right on the corner.”

Mallandain said he was very concerned that when the rainy season starts and the holes get filled with water, children could very easily drown as well.

“As it is, all the water is going to run down the street. Because the heaps of soil touches the wall of my property, that in itself poses a huge safety risk as the heap of soil grant easy access to my property.”

Mallandain alleged that workers damaged his electric fence and the walls of his property with their heavy machinery and vehicles, as the contractors needed to install a pipe underneath a pavement.

“I cannot open my gate anymore, because they damaged the rail. In front of the gate, they left a pile of building rubble. Even if I could open the gate, I will not be able to get my caravan out of my property because the rubble is in the way.

“Now, six months later, a new contractor is fixing the pavement with concrete. No one is attending to the mess on the corner.”

Mallandain also claimed the streetlights have been burning for the past two months, without having been switched off once.

According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, “the abovementioned project is a private development in the form of Rezoning Application from Business 4 FSR 0.3 to Business 4 FSR 0.6”.

“The project entails the installation of a new 501m-long HDPE pipe parallel to the existing 300mm diameter steel pipe in Langebrink Road.

“A new 125mm diameter HDPE pipe would also replace the existing 75mm diameter pipeline at Craddock Avenue,Lyttelton Manor Extension 1.

“An applicant entered into an agreement with the metro to install the pipes required to accommodate his development and to alleviate the low pressure in the Lyttelton Manor area.”

Mashigo further said the damage to the property would be investigated once they receive the property description and contact details of the complainant.

Regarding the pipeline, he said the fittings have been ordered and progress is being made to proceed with the connection of the new pipe to the existing municipal water infrastructure.

“The scope of work on the northern side of Langebrink Road only is for the installation of a new bulk-water pipe that will alleviate the low pressure and water supply that the Lyttelton Manor neighbourhood is currently experiencing.”

Mashigo said the contractor was instructed, “to ensure the excavated holes are duly protected as to avoid any possible incident which might occur as a result of the work underway”.

“The holes will be closed up and/or secured immediately.

“The heaps of soil will be addressed and be removed immediately as we do understand his concern.”

Mashigo said the alleged damage to the electric fence and the walls of the property will be investigated.

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“Should it be found that it was the contractor who caused the alleged damages, the contractor will be held responsible for the reinstatement of the damaged services to the original state.”

Mashigo added, “it is the same contractor busy with the reinstatement of the excavated sections”.

“The excavated section where we still need to do the tie-in to the existing municipal water infrastructure will only be closed up once the connection has been done.

“The rubble and excavated material will be moved to ensure it does not cause safety issues and the excavated area will be properly protected so that no incidents may occur.”

In respect of streetlights, he said, it must be reported to obtain a reference number for the complaint to be followed up.

Mashigo reported, “great progress has been made in the last two weeks with regards to the road crossings and reinstatement of existing sidewalks and driveways that were damaged due to the excavations are taking place”.

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