It has been a year since an elderly Rosedale, Kariega resident who wishes to remain anonymous, has been in distress as a water leak issue continues to escalate, posing threats to property and health.
The primary issue at hand revolves around a significant water leak on the mainline, which has not only resulted in a compromised boundary wall but also risks seeping beneath nearby houses, potentially causing extensive damage. The resident allegedly reported cracks already appearing in the boundary wall, signalling an imminent collapse if the issue is not promptly addressed.
Efforts to rectify the situation have been met with frustration as repeated pleas from the resident and others from the community have allegedly “fallen on deaf ears,” the frustrated resident said. Despite numerous reports filed, the authorities have yet to intervene effectively.
In addition to the water leak resulting in the daily wastage of clean water, the resident revealed that the neighbouring house has been vacant for three years now, and the yard has turned into a dumping site, causing deteriorating hygiene conditions in the area.
The man said,
The senior citizen emphasised the urgency of the matter, urging authorities to take immediate action before the situation spirals out of control. “Every day I fear that that might be the day my boundary wall falls. It’s been happening for so long and something needs to be done. I just want the leak to be fixed, and our lives can go back to normal,” the man pleaded.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, was approached for comment numerous times, but failed to provide comment at the time of going to print on Tuesday. However, NMBM Water Leaks Operations Agent, Evan Louther said, “We will note the query as outstanding and a re-escalation will be issued to the responsible depot for investigation and action.”
