Lack of communication and ongoing repairs leave Sandton residents and businesses in the dark

A small water leak that emerged last June at the intersection of Pretoria Avenue and Katherine Street in Sandton has spiralled into a major issue, affecting local businesses and residents.

What initially appeared to be a minor inconvenience has now become a persistent problem, exacerbated by extensive excavation work and significant damage to critical infrastructure, including the water pipes and power cables that supply electricity to the area.

The damage to electrical cables, in particular, has led to widespread business disruptions.

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Many businesses have had to scale down their operations, with some being forced to reduce staff hours in a bid to stay afloat amid substantial financial losses.

The compromised water supply and damaged electrical infrastructure have left businesses grappling to recover from the ongoing setbacks.

One of the worst-hit businesses is Vida Café, located along Pretoria Avenue. Carol Brown, the café’s manager, explained how the situation had severely impacted their sales.

“This has affected us so hugely; our monthly sales are no longer the same. People no longer come here because of the ‘big hole’ situation.”

She said to manage the strain, the café had been forced to cut down on staff hours, which had further affected the livelihoods of their employees.

Despite numerous efforts from the affected business owners and residents to engage with the relevant authorities, the situation remains unresolved.

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There is a clear frustration with the lack of communication between key stakeholders, as well as confusion surrounding the repairs and when the disruption might end.

Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackleford said she was concerned about the lack of coordination and the continued delays.

“Discussions about how to lift the damaged power cables and proceed with repairs have been ongoing, but the parties involved, including suppliers and contractors, remain at odds over the best approach,” she said.

Shackleford pointed out that the real concern lay in the lack of communication between the various authorities and the affected people – business owners, residents, and the broader community.

“The affected people, the business owners, residents, and everyone in the area, are being left in the dark. The various stakeholders, including Joburg Water, contractors, and suppliers, have not been communicating effectively with those who are experiencing the direct consequences of these issues.”

This communication breakdown has only increased tensions and made it harder for businesses and residents to plan their next steps.

In an attempt to understand the reasons behind the ongoing issues, as well as the communication failures, Sandton Chronicle reached out to Joburg Water and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) for clarification.

The following questions were posed to both entities:

• Why has there been little to no communication between Joburg Water, JRA and the local stakeholders (business owners, residents, and councillor) since the problem began in June of last year?
• Is there a designated person or team responsible for providing updates regarding this matter to the community?
• Are there any steps being taken to address this communication gap moving forward?
• What is the current timeline for resolving the issue, and will Joburg Water be providing more regular updates to the public as work progresses?

In response, Joburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala outlined the complexities of the situation, noting that the main issue revolved around six high-voltage cables that needed to be removed to carry out the necessary repairs.

“We have engaged with Eskom and JRA and have requested Crum to facilitate a meeting,” said Shabalala.
“Eskom has indicated that removing the cables could cause a complete blackout across Sandton, and working under these conditions presents significant risks to our employees. We are currently awaiting an action plan from Eskom on how the work will be safely carried out. Safety remains our top priority, both for our employees and the residents of Johannesburg.”
However, the response failed to address the concerns surrounding the communication gap, leaving many unanswered questions for the affected community.

Khayalethu Gqibitole, the head of regional operations at JRA, responded, “The excavation emanates from sewer pipe repair works that are still ongoing and conducted by Joburg Water. As it stands, the site is still occupied by Joburg Water, and their repair works are still ongoing.”

Gqibitole also addressed communication protocols, stating, “Communication on the progress of works is usually shared with ward councillors as well as communicated via social media platforms.”

Moving forward, Gqibitole assured that JRA would provide updates and push for progress and clearer timelines from Joburg Water and Eskom.

Regarding the resolution timeline of the issue, Gqibitole added, “The JRA has been actively assisting Joburg Water in escalating the matter to Eskom through multiple follow-ups. Timelines for reinstating the road will only be established once both Eskom and Joburg Water have given a clear indication of their timelines for completion of their aspects of the repair works.”

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