With a number of complaints from residents from all Durban suburbs, eThekwini Municipality has promised that they will be working with fibre optic installing companies to repair infrastructure damages. On a weekly basis, residents are complaining that the fibre optic contractors are damaging their driveways and digging into their electric cables and water pipes, resulting in communities left with water and electricity interruptions and no one to hold accountable.
In the upper Highway, DA PR Councillor Caelee Liang, said the areas that have been affected in her ward include Dawncliffe, Westville North and Central Westville areas. “Many of the fibre installations over the past few years have been problematic around eThekwini. Since 2016 I’ve personally had many complaints regarding private fibre companies damaging driveways, pavements and parts of roads. There have also been instances where these companies have damaged cables or pipes, causing outages which the city has then had to repair. Residents are meant to receive notice if their driveways are being affected which should include details for complainants to contact should damages be done. Some of these companies have also left rubble behind after the installation projects have been completed,” Cllr Liang said.
EThekwini Municipality Spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said: “The city will be working with the companies to minimise the inconvenience experienced by residents and businesses during the laying of fibre optics cables.” Mayisela said there are dedicated electricians and plumbers who will be on standby to deal with the faults. Although companies need to apply to the municipality for permission to lay the fibre, some companies neglected to do this. As a result, they were not aware of where electricity and water infrastructure were situated. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to residents after infrastructure was damaged during the laying of fibre optics cables in suburbs around the city. We are working in partnership with fibre companies to repair the numerous electricity cables and water pipes which were damaged,” he said.
Mayisela emphasised that the laying of fibre is done by private companies and is not a city project. He added that eThekwini has since engaged with fibre companies and made them aware of the procedure to submit their paperwork before any work can be approved. “Fibre companies are also made aware of the location of powerlines and water infrastructure, depending on where they will be working. As per their agreement with the City, they are also liable for all damages incurred during the installations. The Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department has a dedicated Clerk of Works who monitors these contractors and ensures compliance on-site. They are the first point of contact in the event of any damages or non-compliance. They are also entitled to stop work in case of major transgression,” said Mayisela. He has urged residents who want to report damages or get more information about the fibre installations to call the Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department on 031-322-7241. “All damages should be reported to this number as well, so that the offending parties can be dealt with,” he said.
