A persistent underground water leak on Canehaven Drive in Foresthaven, Phoenix, has left two residential properties extensively waterlogged for more than six months, causing significant damage to yards, paving, stormwater drainage systems and prayer areas while residents continue to wait for repairs.
According to the affected residents, despite numerous reports being logged with eThekwini Municipality and several reference numbers being issued, the leak remains unresolved. They also fear the stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests and are concerned that the continuous seepage may be undermining the foundations of their homes.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Bilal Abdul of 208 Canehaven Drive said the situation had become unbearable.
“This underground leak has been ongoing for months with no resolution despite us contacting every possible avenue for assistance. The IFP assisted us in obtaining reference numbers, and we appreciate that, but there was only so much they could do. A municipal official came out once, inspected the area and told us another team would return to fix the problem, but nobody ever came back,” said Abdul.
“The damage to my property keeps getting worse. My yard is constantly flooded, and my prayer area has become completely inaccessible because of the waterlogged ground. I’m forced to pay people to clean my yard, only for it to be flooded again the very next day. I don’t know what damage is taking place beneath my property, but I know the water is running underneath it. We cannot continue living like this without any communication or indication of when help will finally arrive,” he said.
Another affected resident, Suneshan Naidoo, said the lack of progress had left residents frustrated and feeling abandoned.
“This has been dragging on for well over six months. We’ve reported it over and over again but have received very little feedback from the municipality. The IFP assisted us with obtaining reference numbers, but we understand their hands are tied. At a recent community meeting, Councillor Dr Jonathan Annipen visited the site and explained that changes to the municipality’s billing system meant previous contractors were no longer appointed and new contractors still needed to be appointed and budgeted for.
We were also informed that there are reportedly more than 15 000 unresolved water leaks across eThekwini, with only one tracing team available. If that’s true, how is one team expected to cope with that workload?” questioned Naidoo.
He added: “I can’t even hang washing in my yard anymore. I have to wear boots because my feet sink into the saturated ground. The front of my property is unusable because water is constantly flowing through it. My paving has turned green despite repeated attempts to clean it, and I’m worried the continuous seepage is damaging my home’s foundation.
Water now travels from my front yard through the ground and surfaces in my backyard, where it has blocked my stormwater drain. Even my prayer area cannot be used because the ground remains permanently wet and attracts mosquitoes and insects. The only relief we get is when the municipality shuts off the water supply at night.”
In response to questions from the Phoenix Tabloid, eThekwini Municipality confirmed that multiple reports relating to the leak had been logged through its system.
The Phoenix Tabloid asked the municipality why the underground leak had remained unresolved for approximately six months despite numerous reports from residents. Questions were also raised about the extensive damage allegedly being caused to properties, the stagnant water creating potential health risks and claims circulating within the community that repairs had been delayed because no contractors were currently appointed to undertake underground leak repairs.
Marketing and Communications Director Mandla Nsele said several municipal reference numbers had been registered for the complaint.
“Following an assessment, the City can confirm that the reference numbers were logged via the mobile app regarding a water leak. A plumber inspected the reported area and established that specialised tracer equipment is required to accurately identify the location of the leak. Arrangements are being made to deploy the necessary equipment, after which the appropriate remedial work will be undertaken to address the issue,” said Nsele.
