Ongoing roadworks in Wyebank a cause for concern
Terence Pillay revisits the disaster that is the ongoing construction in the Wyebank area and finds that not much has changed.
LISTEN to the full interview below:
I have now done four stories on the frustration of the people of Wyebank in respect of the seemingly endless construction in the area.
When we aired the first story, the Municipality said they didn’t know about the issues in the area – ranging from huge trenches being dug and not properly cordoned off, no room for pedestrians, a terrible road surface that caused damage to cars and no stop and go system for a one lane road.
Spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, Tozi Mthetwa, assured me that action would be taken immediately and that the residents can expect changes within the week.
Esor Limited, the construction company in question also sent me this statement after the shows aired:
“The executive of Esor Limited is now aware of the matter and the CEO, Wessel van Zyl, wishes to respond as follows: “The contract with eThekwini does not allow the contractor to liaise with the media regarding the status of the project, specifically commenting on processes and methodologies followed. We have however reacted immediately and inspected the area as mentioned. The pathways next to the school were in fact barricaded and scholars are being safely directed away from traffic. No construction work is conducted during school opening and closing times. However we have realised that there remains a possible unsafe period during early morning and at close of school and have, in addition to existing measures, employed a STOP – GO principle with flagmen with immediate effect to ensure the safety of all scholars.”
This grand promise lasted exactly two weeks. The construction is now in its third year and the residents of Wyebank are fed up with the empty promises.
Representative of the Wyebank Community Police Sub-Forum, Pooven Murugan says he and his team finally met with Esor Construction after their letters to them went unanswered. He says that the company has committed to making changes, which the community will see in the next few weeks.
Tozi Mthetwa apologised for the inconvenience to the public and says she will action the necessary departments.
But these promises have been made numerous times before. Only time will tell if they mean it this time.
You can email Terence Pillay at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @terencepillay1 and tweet him your thoughts.
When we aired the first story, the Municipality said they didn’t know about the issues in the area – ranging from huge trenches being dug and not properly cordoned off, no room for pedestrians, a terrible road surface that caused damage to cars and no stop and go system for a one lane road.
Spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, Tozi Mthetwa, assured me that action would be taken immediately and that the residents can expect changes within the week.
Esor Limited, the construction company in question also sent me this statement after the shows aired:
“The executive of Esor Limited is now aware of the matter and the CEO, Wessel van Zyl, wishes to respond as follows: “The contract with eThekwini does not allow the contractor to liaise with the media regarding the status of the project, specifically commenting on processes and methodologies followed. We have however reacted immediately and inspected the area as mentioned. The pathways next to the school were in fact barricaded and scholars are being safely directed away from traffic. No construction work is conducted during school opening and closing times. However we have realised that there remains a possible unsafe period during early morning and at close of school and have, in addition to existing measures, employed a STOP – GO principle with flagmen with immediate effect to ensure the safety of all scholars.”
This grand promise lasted exactly two weeks. The construction is now in its third year and the residents of Wyebank are fed up with the empty promises.
Representative of the Wyebank Community Police Sub-Forum, Pooven Murugan says he and his team finally met with Esor Construction after their letters to them went unanswered. He says that the company has committed to making changes, which the community will see in the next few weeks.
Tozi Mthetwa apologised for the inconvenience to the public and says she will action the necessary departments.
But these promises have been made numerous times before. Only time will tell if they mean it this time.
You can email Terence Pillay at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @terencepillay1 and tweet him your thoughts.