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KNYSNA NEWS & VIDEO - A resident of Milkwood Drive in Upper Old Place is livid with the Knysna Municipality after the front of his car fell into a sinkhole in the middle of the street.
The incident occurred early on the morning of Thursday 3 May and, fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result.
Stephen Hughes says he was just driving along the street, about to reach home, when all of a sudden the tar road gave way underneath his car. "I have been for weeks complaining to this municipality about a burst pipe, but they do nothing about it. Now just look at my car!" he said, pointing to his vehicle, which had one tyre about 30cm deep in a hole, and another tyre raised from the ground.
'Not the first time'
"I am so angry, this is so frustrating. I've been reporting a burst pipe in this area for more than three weeks. There's been a problem here for years. My car isn't the first one to fall into a sinkhole in this street," he said, referring to at least a couple of similar incidents last year, according to him.
He said that what frustrated him the most, was that the municipality is "incompetent".
"They have been constantly notified about crumbling infrastructure… Even the drainage systems need to be upgraded, but they don't do anything about it until it's too late."
The road is almost permanently sweating – there's always water seeping out of the tar. Why does the municipality ignore residents of Milkwood Drive and this area in general?" he asked.
"There's still a water leak just down the road. What are they waiting for?"
The incident occurred early on the morning of Thursday 3 May and, fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result.
Removal, repairs for own cost
Hughes said he paid out of his own pocket to have the car removed from the sinkhole and towed away, and also incurred expenses to have his vehicle repaired.
"The municipality has taken down my details and we are preparing to submit a claim. As of this moment, I do not know whether or not I will be reimbursed," he said. The municipality has in the meantime replaced the water pipe and covered the portion of road with sand.
In response to a query from the Knysna-Plett Herald, the municipality stated that the resident is welcome to submit a claim to their insurance department at their Queen Street offices.
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Muni responds
"The pipe break was repaired and the water was restored within a few hours," they stated, adding that council "has taken charge of the crumbling infrastructure".
"We also wish to remind residents about our comprehensive budget public participation process currently under way. We reiterate our appeal for every resident to participate in the process. The executive mayor has always maintained an open door approach, however, residents should not hesitate to contact their elected ward councillors to enquire about ward report-back meetings or ward development plans," stated the municipality, and referred to recent press releases.
"We want to reassure our residents that we are working on short and long-term interventions," reads one of the press releases.
"The municipality has started with replacing old water pipelines. We have commenced with the replacement programme, this includes upgrading of the ageing waterlines. The old asbestos pipes are replaced with UPVC (plastic) pipeline which is more conducive to the soil condition. In the areas where this has been implemented the number of pipe breaks has significantly decreased.
"We further urge residents to report water leaks and pipe bursts as soon as possible and accurately in order for them to be repaired timeously.
"Residents are encouraged to report water and sewerage leaks to 044 302 6331 and water abuse via WhatsApp to 060 998 7000."
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