Contractor promises professional repairs on driveways

EMPANGENI residents are up in arms about ongoing property damage caused by fibre optic cable installation by U2tel, who are subcontracted by the network provider.

This after sub-standard driveway repairs were carried out after the damage was reported to the subcontractors.

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‘I rent this property in Empangeni and am fed up that it took so long to get people out here to repair the damage caused, but then they leave the job site in a worse condition,’ said Clinton Woodley.

‘They do not have the experience or correct equipment to do the repairs, leaving the property looking neglected.’

Another homeowner said he was so annoyed he felt like tracking the repair crew down, bringing them to his house and taking away their vehicle’s keys until the job was completed to the correct standard.

U2tel Communications Officer, Alec Nyathanga, said he was aware of the complaints and is currently working on solving the problem.

‘I told the repair crew to fix the driveways as a temporary measure while I obtained quotations from professional paving companies to undertake the repairs.

‘I hope to receive final quotations by the end of the week and repairs will be done immediately.

‘We do not go out to damage properties and actually drill underneath the driveways,’ Nyathanga said.

‘In one particular case a water pipe was damaged and we had to lift the paving to fix the pipe.

‘It is true that we do not have to correct equipment for paving and have been short staffed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, but we are getting professionals in to repair the damage.

‘Residents can contact our project manager, Bilal, on 065 8841752 or myself on 076 4717337 to address any outstanding complaints.’

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