Family finally get leaking water pipe fixed after 5 years
ALEXANDRA – Family relieved five-year leaking ordeal is finally over.
After a few minutes of chatting with a councillor of another ward, an Alex resident’s five-year ordeal she attributed to another councillor’s failure, is finally over.
Koena Selemela said her family’s misery was caused by a leaking water pipe in their home at Regent Flats in 12th Avenue which stopped them from going away on holidays due to the mess and damaged property they would find on their return.
Read: Water Wednesday: Inquiry into trouble facing the Water and Sanitation Department
Selemela explained that a damaged inlet pipe leaked into the kitchen and spread to other rooms. The water destroyed their property and left mainly the kitchen and bathroom in a mess. She said it also tripped the electricity supply due to damp walls. “Luckily, except for occasional shocks, no one was electrocuted.”
She said her hopes pinned on Ward 75 councillor Sanie Mavhona, were in vain. “We reported the matter several times and she came, saw the leak and promised to get it fixed. But no maintenance team came. I eventually turned to private plumbers who checked but said they were unable to repair it.”
Selemela said her relief came after a chance encounter with councillor Shadrack Mkhonto. “I gave him the details and he immediately logged a call and I received a confirmation from a plumbing company which came and replaced the leaking pipes, ending our misery within a week.”
She expressed concern about councillors, saying they were chosen by residents to render them services. “They should fulfil their promises as public servants, check if the work they promised has been done and completed to the satisfaction of those affected.”
She said they shouldn’t be visible as leaders and public servants only towards the elections. “Please don’t ignore us, unless your mandate is to only direct your services to a section of residents.”
Councillor Mavhona, who remembered the complaint, said most reported complaints in her ward were prioritised and submitted to the relevant council maintenance units for action. “Afterwards, I make the necessary follow-up to ensure the work is done appropriately and to the satisfaction of affected residents,” she said.
Read: Joburg’ s drinking water 99,8% free of Ecoli
She urged other councillors who may be approached about the same problem, to coordinate their efforts (even across political lines) to avoid unnecessary duplications.
“Our work is to save the community and not point-scoring.” Mavhona also urged residents not to damage infrastructure and to report those seen doing so. “A lot of reported water leaks and power damages result from a lack of care and security of their assets by the residents.”
