DEAR Editor,-
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s contractor Mbulelo J Zulu came out on November 13 to cut trees on the pavement in front of our property.
The same day, a tree fell onto our neighbour’s property across the road, causing damage to his electric gate and palisade fencing.
ALSO READ : Tweni neighbours in bitter dispute over felled trees
The next day (14th), another tree fell and landed on our property, damaging the Telkom lines and knocking the municipal lamppost to the extent that the lamp unit was swinging by wires and our gate lights were knocked out.
I was busy working in the office downstairs, all the lines were dead and my modem was not working. I contacted the contractor, who was not on site at the time, to come out and assess the damage.
I also reported the lamppost on the Friday (15th) and further reported the damage to Telkom. After testing the lines, it was established that the main cable was damaged and they came on the Sunday (17th) to repair the line.
Telkom managed to get things up and running but within the hour my modem’s power supply burnt out, which damaged my modem.
I contacted my service provider and they confirmed it was due to a surge caused by cable damage and I was forced to order a new modem from Gauteng as the Telkom store could not assist me.
I received my modem a week later as it had to be configured and couriered. An entire week of business was lost without internet.
We continuously contacted the contractor to come and finish up so that the damage could be assessed and a claim lodged against the contractor’s insurance.
I had also been in touch with the contractor and obtained reference number Ref 50963/11/2019. Tony Davis from RNM also came out to assess the damage to our property.
To-date no one has contacted me about the completion of the job. Our security is seriously compromised as my wall is broken and last night the municipal lamp unit fell down.
This plunged our section of the street into darkness as it is linked to the lamp on the corner of the street. This resulted in another power surge which knocked my surge-protector UPS out.
I cannot proceed with a claim against the contractor’s insurance and do not have insurance to get our property fixed.
We will not know the extent of the damage until all logs, branches and the existing tree is cut and cleared away. The logs and trees are still lying on the pavement against my damaged boundary wall.
I appealed to Mr Davis to not pay the contractor until all is done as neither my neighbor or myself can submit claims until all is sorted.
ANN JANE EDWARDS
Saint Michael’s
RNM RESPONDS:
A service provider was appointed for a three (3) year period and in terms of the contract the company was required to acquire public liability insurance to cover any damages that may be caused in the course of their work and confirmation of public liability insurance was duly submitted.
Part of the work for the service provider was to cut four (4) trees on the verge of Mrs Edwards’ property. These trees were cut and there was a bit of a damage caused to the fence and building of Mrs Edwards.
We have confirmation that Mrs Edwards has been in contact with the company’s insurance and normal insurance processes are being followed.
We have unfortunately learnt that the contractor has experienced some engine problems with the truck they use and there has been an indication that once repaired, branches and other items will be removed.
Our responsible person conducted a site inspection which revealed that these branches are not obstructing the road, but are indeed an eyesore and the company has been requested to remove them as soon as the truck has been repaired.
We can indicate that the service provider has been given notice of poor performance and they will be closely monitored.
Mrs Edwards was advised by the responsible manager that no invoice is paid to the contractor if the municipality is not satisfied with the work done.
In terms of the street light, this was reported to our Electrical Section.
SIMON M APRIL
Senior Manager: Mayoralty and Communications
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