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Damage to municipal and private infrastructure from fibre installers has been topical recently, and residents are complaining that the repairs to the damages will have to come out of their own pockets.
Since December, installers from a private company have been seen digging along pavements hitting water and electrical lines. This has resulted in residents having power and water cuts. Ward councillors in the areas have been asked to intervene as many residents are assuming that this is a municipal project and are demanding answers.
Intervention from Reservoir Hills PR Councillor, Sagar Singh was evident after he arranged a meeting with some of the affected residents, municipal officials and the installers. Singh said a meeting was held on 5 February on Siripat Road. “The meeting was called after a resident, Johnny Govender, informed me that he had knowledge of fibre installation and felt that the contractors are not doing it correctly. Govender had more insight as a former municipal worker and suggested that the contractors are given advice on the steps
to follow,” Singh said.
He said that Govender’s advice was well-received by the contractors who promised to follow the steps and in future will avoid any further damages to electrical and water lines. Meanwhile in Ward 33 Councillor Mabatho Tembe issued a notice to residents of Glenwood and Umbilo, that the installation of fibre will require a lot of digging. She warned residents of possible power and water cuts as a result of the contractors hitting the lines by mistake.
A resident in Glenmore, Alkenaar Road, Siya Ngcwelane said that he was happy that the fibre in his street is active, however, he is not happy about the mess on his driveway since December.”It frustrates me as a resident to have unfinished work left for me to fix. The installers promised to have our driveways fixed in January. When they came they just removed the rubble and never closed up the holes properly. The little loose stones are causing damages to our cars,” Ngcwelane said.
He said he hopes that with the councillors intervention, it will be fixed soon. Tembe assured the residents saying: “The installers will create WhatsApp groups to keep me informed so that the municipality is urgently notified so repairs can begin. The fibre contractors will reinstate the pavement after fibre has been placed. A municipal inspector will go around to check that work is being done according to plan. This should run for about three months of fibre being laid, hopefully without interruptions, ” said Tembe.
Ward 25 Councillor Hassan Haniff said in his ward no complaints had been received thus far. Other ward councillors were also contacted and were not available to comment at the time of going to print. The councillors in the affected areas are hoping for less interruptions and will be in contact with the installer and the municipality going forward.
Msawakhe Mayisela, eThekwini Municpality spokesperson, said that fibre is installed by private companies but before they start installation, they obtain authorisation or clearance from eThekwini Municipality. They submit all required approval forms to relevant eThekwini Departments and other respective service providers.
“As Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department we have dedicated Clerk of Works who monitor these contractors and ensure 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. We will look into the allegations,” said Mayisela.
