A Goodwood resident, Roelf Roelofse says he was concerned about a hole in their street that has been left open by the City’s municipality workers after they investigated a burst water pipe in the street.
The hole was in front of driveways which made it difficult for the residents to get their cars out.
But, of bigger concern was the damage done to cars and people could seriously injure themselves as they would not be able to notice the hole. This despite the warning signs being placed at the hole.
The resident left two complaints: one on 28 May, which thereafter the municipality came and had a look at the waterpipe, and again on 2 June when they saw the work being left incomplete as the pipe was still leaking.
The hole has eventually been filled up and the City promised to fix the leak that is still unresolved.
The City’s Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien says the City’s water and sanitation maintenance teams repaired a broken leading at the mentioned locations.
“Signage alerted road users of the unsafe road surface. The final reinstatement repair will be undertaken by the City’s roads depot in due course,” he says.
Possible damages
Should anyone get hurt, fall into the hole or damage their car, the City responded that residents may submit a claim for compensation by way of an application to the City of Cape Town’s Insurance Services department.
They have to complete a Public Liability Claim Form and provide all supporting information including, but not limited to, invoices in respect of expenses incurred, hospital records or medical certificates, and photographs depicting the exact location of the incident.
Damage to vehicles
Residents may also submit a claim application to the City’s Insurance Claims Section for compensation by completing a public liability claim form and providing all supporting information.
“This includes but is not limited to, invoices in respect of the costs incurred in respect of any repairs made to the vehicle, provided that such repairs can be directly attributed to the incident. Alternatively, quotations in respect of the estimated costs of the reasonable repairs to the vehicle and photographs depicting the pothole or road surface defect as well as photographs of the material damage to the vehicle can be submitted,” he says.
Each claim is assessed on its merit
“Please note that each claim is assessed on its merit, which includes an assessment of whether there has been any negligence or omission on the City’s side. Once the City has received the resident’s claim form or formal correspondence, a reference number will be provided for all future liaisons.”
Residents may visit the City’s website to find and complete the Public Liability Claim Form. For more information visit http://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Claim-or-dispute/Complaints-and-claims-against-the-City/Submit-a-claim-against-the-City
