Metro backlog leaves open trenches posing safety risks in Pretoria East
The metro admits excavations are waiting weeks for backfilling, while frustrated residents say open trenches threaten safety and damage their homes.
Ward 83 councillor Andrew Lesch has raised concerns over the metro’s backlog in backfilling excavations across Pretoria East, where residents say trenches have been left open for months after leaks were repaired.
According to Lesch, several streets still have excavations that were opened months ago and never backfilled.
He explained that the metro uses different contractors for different tasks, which often leaves residents in limbo.
“One contractor can come and fix a water leak, but residents then have to wait again for another contractor to do the backfilling.
“This causes a safety hazard for residents and also causes their space to deteriorate.
“One resident in Rover Road, Constantia Park, has been waiting since March for the metro to fix damage they caused when repairing a water pipe,” he said.
Constantia Park resident Joanita Naudé said a stormwater pipe was broken in March when the metro repaired a water leak in Rover Road.
“Now, every time it rains, water enters my house and swimming pool,” she said.
“This problem has been ongoing since March, and it is damaging my property,” Naudé said.
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo acknowledged the backlog, saying the turnaround time for backfilling trenches is 14 days.
He said, however, residents often expect it to be done within 24 hours.
“The metro has a backlog of open trenches affecting the response time.”
“Our standard turnaround time is 48 hours for water leak repairs and 14 days for backfilling or reinstatement,” Mashigo said.
Mashigo added that the outstanding backfilling, including the listed sites, is on the metro’s priority list and will be attended to within 14 days.
“All trenches are barricaded and safeguarded to ensure safety until the area is reinstated,” he said.
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