A LACK of communication between municipal departments is a major reason why trenches are left unrepaired for weeks in many areas in the south of Durban.

This is according to the PR councillor for the DA, Sithembiso Ngema.

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The Water Department and the eThekwini Roads and Stormwater Department were identified as the main contributors of incomplete work in several areas. This concern came to light during a picket demonstration in Merebank on September 5.

Ngema said the two departments appear to have poor communication, particularly when one completes its work and the next one is expected to follow through to finish the job.

However, eThekwini Municipality encouraged residents to report service delivery problems and obtain reference numbers.

Residents and community leaders gathered on Tomango Road and picketed near the spot where a portion of the road had been dug up and left unrepaired. Residents claim that the municipality had been alerted to the issue in July, but nothing was done about it, leading to the trench widening on both sides.

PR councillor for the DA in Ward 75, Ngema, said the water department attended to a complaint, and fixed a burst pipe in July.

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“There is clearly a miscommunication between these two departments. The water department completed the job. The people of eThekwini have had enough of the municipality’s ineptitude and lack of accountability. The recent fiasco on Tomango Road in Merebank is a stark example of the municipality’s failure to perform its duties.

“This negligence has not only compromised the business operations of some companies around this area, with over 60 trucks traversing the area daily, it has also put motorists at risk of accidents.

“The municipality’s inaction is unacceptable, and it’s clear that there is a significant breakdown in communication between departments responsible for this,” said Ngema.

A member of the Merebank Residents and Ratepayers Association, Lynette Chetty, said they monitor all service delivery issues in the area.

“A trench on this road has been left open for over three weeks. This road is used daily by schoolchildren, and during peak traffic times in the morning and afternoon, it has become dangerous and inconvenient for them to cross while vehicles try to navigate around the trench.

“In response, we held a placard demonstration to send a clear message to the eThekwini Municipality — we are not satisfied with the level of service we are receiving. It seems they only began addressing the issue because of the pressure we applied. Even now, I don’t believe the repair work is being done properly.”

Spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality Gugu Sisilana said the municipality understands the frustration of the community and business regarding the delay in these repairs.

“A first inspection by the Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Directorate was conducted on August 24. At this site visit, it was established that while excavating, a storm water manhole at the entrance to Illovu Sugar was damaged. This required the manhole to be rebuilt, which was a challenge due to the high volume of traffic entering and exiting Illovo Sugar. The manhole was repaired on August 28.

“Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Directorate has visited the site and met with representatives from Illovo Sugar, operations section, on August 29, to assess the road damages to plan these repairs. At this meeting, it was established between both parties that these repairs could only be done by closing off this section of road, which meant that no deliveries, both in and out of the Illovo Sugar depot.

“The repair work is extensive and requires major layer works restoration before the road can be reinstated,” said Sisilana.

The Roads and Storm Water department repaired the road on September 5 following pressure from the frustrated Merebank community. While municipal workers were on site, residents picketed on the pavement and called for the municipality to be proactive.

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