Residents complain about metro contractors’ untidy work
"Residents are disappointed and upset that the metro does not supervise their contractors."
Wierda Park residents say they are unhappy about how metro contractors installing fibre in the area have left a huge in their wake.
“We are sick and tired that holes are forever left open and material is left all over the show,” said resident Liza Vorster.
“It looks messy.”
“Wiring is also left open. During heavy rains, we experience electricity failures.”
Vorster said the damage done to roads during installations was not repaired and caused more cracks in the roads over time.
“They have absolutely no concern for water pipes either, which leave residents without water sometimes. As it is, we struggle with low pressure in the water system.
“Sometimes water leaks are left unattended for days on end.”
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Vorster said residents are disappointed and upset that the metro does not supervise their contractors.
Lyttelton resident Piet Uys said in addition to the frustration that the sinkhole at the circle on Clifton, Alethea and Potgieter roads, the surrounding area is “in a terrible state with overgrown grass and material and waste lying around”.
Tshwane metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo said the metro held a site inspection of the complaint yesterday and identified a few issues regarding safety on site in Wierda Park where metro fibre is currently being worked on.
“It is a standard procedure that a network fibre service provider contractor must excavate to do installations and during that the community might experience interruptions in and around the affected area.
“Safety is the priority and the contractor will be urgently engaged to reduce risks on sites. In most cases, the contractor will use orange nets to barricade open trenches.”
He said cleaning of sites after work is standard procedure. If the contractor does not clean, the metro issues a site instruction for untidiness. Contractors are required to reinstate damages around the driveways and perimeter fence if such damages occurred.
Complaints about potholes, traffic lights and street lights are also rife.
“Potholes on Old Johannesburg Road R101 and Ruimte Road R117 is absolutely horrible and dangerous. Especially the holes on Ruimte Road close to Baard Road. It is in the dip and when it rains one cannot see it and damages one’s vehicle,” another resident from Eldoraigne complained.
According to Mashigo, there is a wetland on the eastern part of the road with a high water table at Rooihuiskraal Road between Panorama and Uitsig roads, which caused potholes that makes it impossible to repair.
“Ruimte Road is a provincial road and provincial officials have been notified and it was last repaired in December last year.
“Hendrik Verwoerd opposite Mall@Reeds is currently on our January planned maintenance schedule. We are going to prioritise the complaint as an escalation.”
Complaints about traffic lights have been referred to the traffic engineering section for further investigation.
According to alderman Peter Sutton, Tshwane MMC Finance Leader of Executive Business and DA councillor of ward 78, the metro is busy installing overhead cable that feeds the street lights in John Vorster Drive.
“The underground cable constantly gets stolen. This new infrastructure should curb theft and keep the lights on.”
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