The management of the Lekwa Local Municipality (Standerton/Lekwa, Morgenzon) has finally undertaken to start repairing damaged storm water infrastructure after mounting pressure from the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus).
The head of the Technical Department, Mr Mthembeni Jiyani, personally visited the affected areas after the Freedom Front insisted. Repairs will get underway as soon as the supplier delivers the pipes.
This follows several complaints that the Freedom Front Plus took up with Jiyani regarding the ongoing mismanagement of storm water infrastructure, which frequently leads to flooding, property damage and hazardous conditions for the residents of Coligny and Leyd Streets.
The most recent floods once again highlighted the Municipality’s reluctance to take action.
Although initial efforts to remove decayed pipes had begun – with an undertaking to install new systems by September 2024 – work was abruptly halted.
The old pipes were removed, but deep, dangerous trenches were left open in front of residents’ homes. Nothing more has been done since.
These open trenches pose a serious risk to the community, particularly for children and the elderly. In some areas, safety barriers collapsed into the trenches while other ditches are concealed under overgrown vegetation, rendering them virtually invisible to pedestrians and motorists.
The situation is severely disruptive; residents have had to stop doing basic sidewalk maintenance out of fear of being injured. Moreover, the trenches could potentially serve as hiding spots for criminals.
The Freedom Front Plus will closely monitor the situation and provide feedback in due course. The Municipality is responsible for causing the situation and should remedy it.
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