PORT ELIZABETH
EX press 90 000 COPIES WEEKLY Wednesday, July 27, 2011
0 041 503 6111
Suidelike Voorstede / Southern Suburbs
) 525
Fax: 041 503 6220
HELGA VAN STAADEN AND ZELDRÉ SWANEPOEL
16
‘Ellen Pakkies’ te sien by PE Operahuis
31
Baaise fietsryers in SA-span opgeneem
www.pe-express.co.za
Editor: Bettie Giliomee
It’s raining potholes!
3
Balizza brings Christmas in July to needy pets
2 express@media24.com
W
HILE numerous major roads in the metro are already starting to look like patchwork quilts with potholes waiting to be fixed, the heavy rains of the weekend have made matters worse causing more potholes to pop up all over the Metro. A new pothole in William Moffett Expressway damaged at least five vehicles on Sunday. One of these motorists, Sandra Seale, told Helga van Staaden of Die Burger that she plans to sue the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality for damages to her VW Jetta’s chassis and left tyre. According to her she and her family were travelling at about 7.45pm on Sunday near the Caltex Service Station when her vehicle was damaged. Her son Craig, who was driving in front of her, damaged both left wheels of his white Corsa. “As we were driving we saw four cars standing alongside the road, but did not realise that they had been damaged by the potholes. After stopping at the Engen Service Station with the flat tyre, we started talking to other motorists. Only then did we realise that there were others who had suffered damage to their vehicles too,” said Seale. According to Retief Odendaal, DA councillor for Ward 6 (Broadwood, Charlo, Overbaakens, Fairview) the road has exceeded its lifespan and has been due for upgrade work for the past five years. The road has been repaired recently but according to Odendaal, the work was substandard and the contractor has to return to fix it. Another major road riddled with potholes is Gail Road in Gelvandale. In this case the potholes seems to be caused by an underground water leakage, which is visible at points where water is bubbling through the tarred surface.
The local ward councillor, DA Councillor Marshall von Buchenroder, says he has been inundated with complaints from residents about this issue. Von Buchenroder stated that he has been in constant communication with the authorities, but to no avail. “After numerous e-mails and telephonic conversations between myself and the relevant directorates, I requested that the road be closed. “It is clear that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality does not have the capacity to render service delivery where it is needed the most. This
road is also a main thoroughfare for residents of the Western Suburbs in the morning and afternoon peak hours,” said Von Buchenroder. He also pointed out that because the Gelvandale police station and the mortuary are situated in Gail Road, the road is also used by emergency vehicles. “ A high volume of traffic uses this road and therefore it is my duty as ward councillor to see that this road is fixed as speedily as possible; however, water division is not serious about saving water or repairing water-leaks,” said Von Buchenroder.
EC DOLL AND TOY
Ongama Mtimka, municipal spokesperson, said any resident who feels he or she has a valid claim against the municipality can contact the Metro’s legal department. Residents can also write a letter with the details of the claim whereafter the municipality will investigate the validity of the claim, Mtimka said.
Send your comments to express@media24.com or comment on our Facebook Page.
FAIR The Eastern Cape Toy and Doll Club Fair will be held this Saturday at the Walmer Library Hall from 8am to 2pm. The entrance fee is R5 per per son. Ladies with an interest in dolls, teddies and toys are welcome to join the club. Contact Shelley on 0 082 561 1358 or Dorothy on 0 041 367 4515 for more info. Ex cited about the upcoming fair is little Layla Cripps (6). Photo: TANYA VAN ZYL