THE reason excavations are sometimes left open for weeks or even months is due to a shortage of vehicles needed to transport backfilling materials after installing cables and pipes to the sites where the backfilling is required.

This issue came to light last week when Ward 64 councillor Norman Gilbert responded to community complaints about delays in repairing excavations in driveways and pavements.

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During an urgent war-room meeting held with officials from eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation unit, Gilbert said the issue is linked to a shortage of operational trucks used to transport backfill material.

He raised concerns about large excavations being left open in roads across the ward, warning that they pose a serious safety risk to residents.

According to Gilbert, many residents have complained about excavations that remain uncovered for long periods after work is done, creating hazards for motorists, pedestrians and nearby residents.

He said municipal officials confirmed that material needed to fill the excavations is available.

“The department is struggling with transport capacities of a fleet of 16 trucks meant to service the city, only two to three are currently operational to transport backfill to these sites,” he said.

Gilbert said the municipality has indicated that steps are being taken to address the problem. Gilbert said the officials told the meeting that funding has been secured through an incentive grant to purchase 11 new trucks during 2026.

“In the meantime, an emergency repair process under Section 36 has been initiated to fix the existing trucks so they can be returned to service as quickly as possible.

Residents also raised concerns about recurring water interruptions at night affecting households supplied by the Woodlands reservoirs,” he said.

In a separate matter, Gilbert said officials emphasised that the gravity supply system from Wiggins to the reservoirs has been undergoing a recovery and stabilisation process, which has resulted in temporary nightly interruptions.

When asked for a timeline on when the issue will be resolved, officials said the system should stabilise within a week.

Gilbert said he will continue to monitor the situation closely and hold the department accountable to the timeframe provided. “I will continue to push for urgent action and regular updates until these issues are resolved,” he said.

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