- Goodwood residents are frustrated with the City of Cape Town over a dangerous road hazard on Murray Street caused by a pipe burst repair in June.
- Despite assurances, the road remains unsafe, leading to a car crash in October.
- Residents demand urgent action, criticizing the City’s slow response and lack of accountability.
A pipe burst on Murray Street, Goodwood in June has left residents grappling with a persistent road hazard due to what they describe as negligence by the City of Cape Town’s maintenance workers. Although the burst pipe was fixed promptly the repair team left the area in a hazardous state, filling the hole with loose stones that have scattered across the road.
“It’s been five months, and the problem still hasn’t been resolved,” said the affected resident. The ongoing issue has become a safety concern, with vehicles repeatedly driving over the hole, causing it to deepen.
In October the situation turned dangerous when a car struck the hole, spun out of control and crashed into a wall. “The hole is a growing hazard. It’s only a matter of time before another accident occurs,” the resident warned.
Attempts to get answers from city officials have met with delays. In August Amanda Murray, head of water distribution and reticulation services, assured the resident she would follow-up on the matter. However, no feedback has been provided since then, according to residents.
READ: Hole made whole again after residents report their concerns
Ward councillor Cecile Janse van Rensburg confirmed the City was aware of the issue.
“The timeline for a reinstatement after a water incident such as a pipe burst is typically six to nine months. The resident has been informed accordingly.” She added that the City was responsible for ensuring the area remained safe for vehicles and pedestrians until the repair was completed.
Residents, however, were dissatisfied with the slow response and lack of urgency. “The negligence is unacceptable,” said the resident. “An accident has already occurred and the City needs to take responsibility before someone gets seriously hurt.”
