DURBAN – The eThekwini Municipality issued an urgent notice after receiving numerous complaints about electricity and water disruptions caused by fibre contractors in their data expansion roll out throughout the city.
Areas in the north, south, west and central eThekwini have been affected.
The municipality said some of the most affected areas were Verulam, Everest Heights, oThongathi, Phoenix, Demat, Padfield, Manors, Morningside, Glenwood, Amanzimtoti and uMlazi.
“We urge communities to take ownership of the services provided to them by ensuring that our electricity cables and water infrastructure are not damaged, vandalised or stolen, thereby assisting the city in ensuring that it delivers the best service possible.
“Fibre installers and other services providers working in municipal servitudes must be authorised to do so. It is incumbent upon our communities to ensure that contractors are approved and provide acceptable care prior to, and when excavating. This includes having necessary drawings on-site to identify the location of municipal infrastructure,” the municipality said.
The eThekwini Municipality said it was important that their communities partnered with them in limiting unnecessary costs and ensuring that their infrastructure was maintained in a manner that prevented interruption of services.
If residents wanted to report or get more information about fibre installations in their area they should call Roads and Stormwater Maintenance on 031 322 7241 throughout the week from 8am to 4pm.
However, in the event of water pipe bursts or electricity cable faults that could occur during excavation, customers are urged to reach the municipality’s contact centre on 080 311 1111.
Issues surrounding fibre installations in the city can be traced back to May this year.
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