A RESIDENT in Lorraine has described her driveway as a “warzone” after Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality officials attended to a burst water pipe in January.
Cathy Smith, a pensioner, said that she reported a municipal water pipe, which burst at her entrance gate, damaging the paving on the driveway. According to Smith, the municipal officials attended to the burst water pipe after two days, dumped gravel on the driveway and left without an explanation.
“They dumped a truck full of gravel on the pavement and only half of my driveway can be used. My property looks like a dumping ground for rubble and that’s unacceptable,” Smith said.
The damaged paving at Smith’s residence poses a danger, as stones are scattered across the driveway.
“I’m concerned that someone will end up getting hurt if they walk over the gravel and who will be held responsible for that? Ever since the municipal officials dumped the gravel on my driveway, I’ve been trying to get hold of them. The paving needs to be repaired as well. Once again, e-mails have been sent from our councillor to NMBM and no action or responsibility has been taken,” Smith said.
According to the local councillor, Gustav Rautenbach, service delivery in the metro has decreased in the past seven months.
“Ann came to my office and reported the problem in January. I immediately followed up with the municipality. However, the problem is that senior officials do not always respond. We have a big problem with service delivery in the metro and residents are not receiving the services that they are paying for,” he said.
Rautenbach added that the lack of service delivery is currently putting strain on councillors in the metro.
“We are the middle man and the residents’ direct link to the municipality.
“It’s unacceptable if residents do not receive any response from municipal officials.
“However, if a certain problem has not received any attention for months, I write a letter to the city manager and report the matter.”
According to the municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, the reported burst pipe was repaired at Smith’s residence.
“Excavation took place in order to repair the burst pipe, which constituted part of the consumer’s driveway.”
“The rubble forms part of the backfilling process to seal the excavated area, before a reinstatement order can be conducted in order to restore the property and site to its original condition.”
Mniki said the matter had been brought to the responsible team’s attention.
