La Piazza Complex residents in Rivonia furious as three-year pipe burst still awaits permanent repairs

Residents at La Piazza Complex in Rivonia are boiling over Johannesburg Water’s (JW) silence and continued delays in permanently repairing a leaking water pipe outside their complex.

According to the residents, what began as a burst pipe has evolved into a years-long ordeal, with repeated excavations, failed repair attempts and an open trench that remained unresolved for months, causing damage to their garden.

One of the residents, Leigh Griffiths, said, “This has been a recurring problem over the past three years. The same leak has exploded three times over the last three years. On previous occasions, Joburg Water came back to fix and replace the soil so the garden could be replanted.

“The pipe burst again in December last year, and this time they left it open with a slow leak on the join of the pipe.”

Another resident, Zonia Bill, said despite numerous reports to JW and Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford, they are still waiting for a permanent solution.

Read more: Bryanston’s stubborn leak on Bryanston Drive has been fixed again

“We have escalated to Joburg Water, even the councillor of our area, and nothing has been done,” Bill said.

“They [Joburg Water] told us we have to drain the water out for them to be able to do the backfilling, which we don’t really think is our duty to drain the water. Our plumbers have told us they cannot fix it; it’s all up to Johannesburg Water to fix that.”

Griffiths said that the leak is causing underground instability to the paving in the complex and the water is seeping up under the paving and also flowing underground and flooding the gardens of the complex.

“The adjacent boundary wall foundation may also be unstable due to the continued waterlogging in the area caused by the ongoing leak.“

@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: Flooded gardens, sinking paving and an open trench have become part of daily life for La Piazza Complex residents in Rivonia who say years of temporary repairs have solved nothing. Watch as Zonia Bill explains why residents are frustrated and calling for urgent intervention from Johannesburg Water. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Flood #Rivonia #Johannesburgwater ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Bill added, “Also at our water metres, there’s a big hole filled with water. We are now getting very desperate, because it is affecting our whole building and our driveway, and we’ve become quite despondent about how to handle this.”

Shackleford confirmed that she is aware of the issue and has repeatedly escalated it with JW.

“This has been escalated by the residents. It was escalated by me in 2025 and during the course of 2026. They [Johannesburg Water] tried to come in and backfill the area in March this year, but unfortunately the backfilling was stopped as it is still leaking,” Shackleford said.

Also read: Bryanston leak continues after failed Johannesburg Water repairs

“At present I have not received any response from Johannesburg Water about the ongoing issue. I do believe that they are so inundated with the number of bursts. However, I am very concerned about the structure of the bridge or the driveway for this complex.”

The Sandton Chronicle sent a media enquiry to JW on July 24, requesting comment on the matter.

JW spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala responded on July 27, saying, “Johannesburg Water is aware of the reported leak. Investigations confirmed that the issue was caused by a burst 100 mm (AC) pipe, and repairs were attended to on July 22.”

However, when the publication visited the site on July 24, the excavation remained open, and water was still visible inside the hole.

A follow-up enquiry was sent to JW to clarify the contradiction between its response and conditions observed at the site. Updates will be provided once a response is received.

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