Exposed electric cables threaten business
Shop owners complained about exposed electrical cables in front of their stores.
A trench outside a business on 4th Street has damaged cars and is now used as a dustbin and toilet.
When the flats on 4th Street experienced electricity problems in January, the residents had to contact the City of Ekurhuleni for assistance.
The driveway, which was dug up next to the building of a business, is where the power cables were discovered.
“After the electricity was fixed, the entire area was left open. Two weeks later, the trench was filled halfway to allow cars to pass, but in front of the business, it remained open, leaving some cables exposed.
“We have had a few people reporting damage to their cars when they enter the gate,” explained Amanda Adams, an employee at the business.
Adams claimed she asked the municipal workers who dug the trench if they would close it before they left.
“They just shrugged. No one gave me a straight answer,” she said.
She said she is also concerned that people, especially children, could fall in and get injured.
“We have made numerous efforts to get the metro to close it up, but it remains open. The customers are complaining because they think it’s our fault,” she added.
She said they have complained and notified the city on many occasions, with no help, and they don’t know what to do anymore.
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Zweli Dlamini, the spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni, said the municipality was aware of the cable trench that was opened by a fibre installation contractor.
“Our cable was damaged in the process,” he said.
He said the city is looking at rerouting the cables and awaiting approval of wayleaves. They anticipated closing the trench by the end of February, which has since passed.
The Advertiser is awaiting further comment from the city.
