A growing pattern of incomplete restoration has Pretoria east increasingly frustrated, raising concerns about open excavations, damaged driveways, and potholes creating safety hazards.

The complaints come as Tshwane Metro admits it is battling an exceptionally high number of water leaks and burst pipes across its water network, placing significant pressure on its reinstatement and backfilling teams.

Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller said residents have become increasingly frustrated as repaired leaks are often followed by lengthy delays before damaged roads, pavements, and driveways are restored.

One of the latest complaints comes from Albert Street in Waterkloof, where a resident said municipal workers removed a tree during repairs to a burst water pipe but left behind exposed roots, a damaged driveway, and an untidy worksite.

Muller said potholes caused by recurring water leaks have also plagued the area, while two additional leaks nearby continue to waste water.

“It is incredibly frustrating for residents. We are constantly being told to save water, yet people are seeing water running into the street from leaks that remain unrepaired for extended periods,” she said.

She added that the deteriorating road conditions are forcing motorists to dodge large potholes that have developed after repeated water leaks.

The metro confirmed it is aware of the unresolved service request at 311 Albert Street.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the driveway could only be reinstated once officials were satisfied that the repaired pipeline was functioning correctly.

“The city first needed to rehabilitate the site and confirm that the repaired pipeline was functioning correctly and free of leaks before proceeding with the reinstatement of the driveway,” said Mashigo.

He said the remaining tree roots were scheduled to be removed and the driveway reinstated on July 22.

Regarding two reported leaks near Crown Street, Mashigo said the city had appointed a contractor to replace the affected pipeline to provide a long-term solution.

Addressing concerns that the metro lacks reinstatement teams, Mashigo denied the claim.

“No. The city does have dedicated reinstatement and back-filling teams. However, the unprecedented volume of water leaks and burst pipe repairs has placed significant pressure on these resources.”

He said the municipality has developed an action plan to accelerate backfilling and site clearance, and to reduce the current backlog.

Mashigo explained that the city’s standard operating procedure is to begin backfilling immediately after pipe repairs are completed.

Once that process is finished, job cards are issued to the Roads and Stormwater Section for tar patching where necessary, while municipal teams complete concrete reinstatement and paving repairs.

Mashigo added that repair times differ depending on the complexity of each leak and operational priorities.

He confirmed that three service requests had been logged and all repairs had since been completed.

However, Waterkloof resident Nolene Nunes said her experience has left her questioning the city’s approach to infrastructure repairs after municipal workers allegedly caused extensive damage to her property.

Nunes said the problems began during the week before the May long weekend when, she claims teams arrived to replace water infrastructure outside her home.

She alleged that workers gradually excavated the pavement before informing her they intended to break through her driveway paving.

“They rang the bell and told me they were going to break my paving. I objected because there were other ways to access the pipes, but they brought in big machines and simply broke everything,” she claimed.

According to Nunes, the damage has remained largely unrepaired for almost three months.

She explained that the paving was installed more than two decades ago on a concrete slab, making replacement both difficult and expensive because matching paving blocks are no longer available.

“We’ve had to get quotations because the damage is extensive. Those paving blocks can’t even be replaced anymore, and repairing everything is going to cost a fortune,” she reported.

Nunes claimed that municipal teams then returned roughly two weeks later, but only partially filled one section of the excavation.

“They closed one side but left the rocks they dug out lying there. On the other side, they never came back. They simply left the excavation open.”

She believes the unfinished work poses a serious safety risk because many people walk past their house every day with their dogs.

Nunes also expressed concern that exposed underground infrastructure could attract cable thieves.

“The councillor even said it wasn’t right because the open excavation could make it easier for people to steal cables.”

This is also not the first time Nunes has experienced problems following municipal water works.

She claims contractors previously replaced water infrastructure outside her property last year, leaving open trenches, damaged irrigation systems and landscaping that cost her family thousands of rands to restore.

“We spent about R16 000 fixing the irrigation they damaged. We brought in new sand and replanted the grass, only for everything to be destroyed again this year,” she alleged.

Residents have also raised concerns about dangerous excavations in Struben Kop Street in Lynnwood, where repairs to water leaks have been completed, but large holes remain open.

Muller said the temporary danger tape placed around some excavations is insufficient, particularly in areas where streetlights are not functioning.

“This is exactly the kind of hole we keep seeing after water leak repairs. At night, especially where there are no streetlights, someone could easily walk straight into it and be seriously injured,” she said.

Mashigo confirmed the city is aware of two open excavations in Struben Kop Street.

He said reinstatement work has been prioritised and is expected to be completed by July 29.

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