Johannesburg Water still hasn’t fixed the leak on Jan Smuts and Rothesay avenues as the excavations in Craighall continue to grow.
The excavation is a different one from the one in which a car recently drove into after losing control due to wet weather conditions.
The latest excavation is gushing gallons of clean water. Last month, we reported several engagements between City power and Johannesburg Water regarding the safe isolation of cables that might be in the way of repairs.
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City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, on February 16, confirmed that officials, including engineers, conducted a site visit on February 13, where they met with their counterparts from Johannesburg Water to assess the situation.
“It was established that there was no need to isolate the electricity supply, as initially requested by Johannesburg Water, as the exact location of the leak had already been identified during the previous excavation work.
“Based on this outcome, responsibility for further updates and progress on repairs now rests with Johannesburg Water, as the matter does not require any direct intervention from City Power at this stage.”
A reporter and Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen visited the gushing excavation on February 24, which was filled to the brim.
Van Onselen explained: “Since February 4, the excavation has expanded into not only the original hole in which a car crashed into, but into what looks like a swimming pool, which has yet to receive attention from the city.
Read more: Parkwood’s water leak and excavation woes are finally over
This gushing excavation is now causing problems for businesses on Jan Smuts Avenue, as the water runs and seeps into their plug sockets.”
A caretaker at Couch & Co, who didn’t want to be named, said the water from the gushing excavation seeped into the business’s basement, making their stock wet and irreparable.
The councillor added that it was unacceptable that the first excavation, which was dug in October, has resulted into a seconone.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen stands behind the gushing excavation on the corner of Rothesay Avenue in Craighall. Video: Asanda Matlhare #caxtonlocalmedia #News #Community #Localnews #johannesburg #SA #2026 #Government #servicedelivery #JoburgWater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
The publication reached out to Johannesburg Water and will update the article with their response.
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