Intensive infrastructure maintenance work currently underway in KwaZakhele’s most affected areas including Bhudaza and Stofile streets is bearing positive results with challenges of sanitation blockages, bursts and leaks improving daily.
KwaZakhele is one of the areas that are severely affected by challenges of sanitation system caused by aging infrastructure, throwing of foreign objects into the sanitation system, vandalism and stealing of metal material like manhole lids and valves.
Earlier this year the metro started a multi million rand project of unblocking the main sanitation line in KwaZakhele, Stofile Street that had already blocked due to vandalism and foreign objects.
The metro has now started work in Bhudaza Street. On Wednesday, 15 November 2023 the Mayoral Committee Member for Infrastructure and Engineering Khanya Ngqisha visited the Bhudaza Street site to do oversight work.
The intention was to monitor progress and encourage contractors on site to work with speed as the metro is expecting more pressure on its sanitation system due to the increase in numbers of people who will be coming to the City for festive season holidays.
The condition of the concrete sanitation pipeline was damaged, leading to a compromised load-bearing capacity.
This was identified in early October 2023. Initially, it was thought to be a blockage, but high- pressure water jetting proved ineffective. Due to this, excavations commenced at the point of collapse in an attempt to repair the collapsed sewer pipeline.
“Our visit here follows numerous complaints about sewage blockages within the township. It was monitored that the contracted work wasn’t being performed effectively as the community was still experiencing sewage blockages,” said MMC Ngqisha.
“We call upon our communities to protect Municipal Infrastructure and report any vandalism to the nearest Municipal Office or Police Station,” he added.
A bypass pump has been placed onsite to ensure continuous conveyance of the sewage flows from upstream to allow for the repairs to be completed without any disruptions.
The work is ongoing and anticipated to be completed by the end of November.
NMB Communications
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