The road less travelled 

Rustenburg – What started out as a pothole from a burst pipe in Brons Street in the Zinniaville Industrial area, has soon become a ravine. 

Commuters now have to take the road less travelled: literally driving next to the road to avoid damaging the vehicles. 

In an interview with the Platinum Weekly newspaper, Jo Venter at Water Flex Rustenburg, she said: “The burst pipe was reported to the municipality in August 2016 already. 2016!”

She added: “Since the pipe burst and was reported, no attempts by the municipality have been made to rectify this problem. At the beginning of 2018 complaints could no longer be reported to the municipality as the municipality refuses to give a reference number, complaints now must be registered in person at the Fire Department causing much frustration.”

Companies such as Barloworld and Water Flex took it upon themselves by spending thousands of their own money to fill up the huge hole. Barloworld has filled up this deep ravine at their own expense on more than one occasion. Nonetheless, this only lasts for a few days due to the high, heavy traffic volumes experienced in the area.

 
Companies and motorists alike are at the end of their tether with this situation. 

The area is being used by some people as an ablution facility, people are often seen washing themselves in this water, and this could become a major health hazard.

“We’re frustrated, after spending many hours on phone calls and trips to and from the municipality as well as the Fire Department. 

We have even gone as far as to report this situation on the municipality’s Facebook page. To date, we have still seen no action or received feedback from the relevant departments. Soon we will not be able to gain access to our workplaces as the road is in such a state,” says Venter.