UNDERGROUND water seeping through the newly upgraded Kouga Ford in Humansdorp, causing severe damage to the building, appears to be worsening by the day.<\/p>\n
The water seeps through paving, walls and floors – resulting in structural damage.<\/p>\n
According to owner Gerrit Potgie-ter, who has been complaining to the Kouga Municipality for years, now considers taking steps against the municipality should the ongoing problem not be addressed in the near future.<\/p>\n
Potgieter says, \u201cHundreds of litres of water run from across the street, underneath the tar road to our building. The soil is already so saturated that the water bubbling through the floors and walls. <\/p>\n
\u201cA small portion of the water that runs above the ground, ends up in the stormwater drain – but this is no better. No one knows what is in the brown, sludgy water. The water then ends up in the two nearby dams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Infrastructure and Engineering Portfolio Councillor Freddy Campher says the bulk of the water comes from springs above the silos situated across the road of Kouga Ford.<\/p>\n
According to an informed source, the water might be coming from nearby businesses, however, this still needs to be confirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe water travels across land that belongs to Transnet, and the municipality has been unable to obtain permission from them to work on their land.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Camper, one solution is to dig a trench to help drain and divert water. \u201cThe municipality cannot, however, do this without Transnet\u2019s permission. All attempts to secure permission and the necessary authorisation from them, has thus far been unsuccessful. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are now looking at the possibility of laying a pipe across the land to redirect the water towards the stormwater canals in Voortrekker Road. This is, however, a provincial road and we would first need permission from the District Engineer from the East Cape Department of Roads and Public Works.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis engagement is currently underway.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another thorn in the flesh is the derelict building across the road and the overgrown bushes and grass.<\/p>\n
According to Potgieter, the building is a breeding ground for criminal activities: murder (three in the last year), the selling of drugs and the burning of stolen copper wire.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to mention the filth and smell. If a light breeze is blowing, we cannot open a window – the stench is unbea-rable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShould the municipality demolish the building, I will take it upon myself to keep the area clean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Camper says, \u201cWe have discussed the possible demolition of the building with Transnet, but they indicated that they may have other plans for the building.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNDERGROUND water seeping through the newly upgraded Kouga Ford in Humansdorp, causing severe damage to the building, appears to be worsening by the 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