Residents dig deep in their pockets to fix damaged cars

POTHOLES are a problem on many roads and communities say they have had enough of their cars being damaged.

Malvern

A resident, who declined to be named, said she hit a pothole on the M7 at the Malvern on-ramp.

“It was late and it was drizzling. I was driving home and did not see the pothole as there was sand and mud on the road. The car jerked and made a terrible sound on impact. I managed to drive to a garage and was told the rim had buckled into the tyre and that it needed to be replaced. The attendants fitted the spare tyre, but now the car does not drive well.

“I heard that you could claim from the city, so I submitted a claim for damages shortly thereafter, in February. But I got tired of waiting for feedback and ended up borrowing money to fix the car.”

Kevin Pillay, the chairperson of the Malvern Community Policing Forum (CPF), said: “We have potholes on almost every road in Malvern. Whenever there is a burst water pipe, the contractors damage the roads during the repairs and just fill the holes with sand. Motorists drive over these and the hole gets bigger.

“That is how these things start damaging vehicles.

“On Carrick Road, the contractors dug across the road, so now, whenever motorists drive in this area, they must slow down to avoid the potholes. This has resulted in traffic backlogs.”

He said the other areas with potholes included Fairlight Road, Ridley Road, River Plate Road and Coronation Road.

Pillay said the CFP filled the potholes with sand and cement a few months ago.

“We do it for our community. We report the potholes, but nothing is being done. If the city tended to the potholes when they were first reported, people would not have to resort to adding pothole damages to their car insurance.”

Phoenix

Umesh Singh, the chairperson of the Phoenix CPF, said: “I have hit too many potholes to count. The recent incident was a few months back. I was driving to work and approaching the M25 on-ramp on the Phoenix Highway when I hit a pothole. I could not stop to check the damage because it was during peakhour traffic, so I had to reduce my speed.

“But I heard a sound from the tyre. When it was safe to stop, I saw the tyre was damaged. I had to pay R1600 to replace the tyre, sort out the rim, and have the wheel aligned. I reported the pothole to the eThekwini Municipality’s complaints department.”

Singh said there were several potholes in Duffs Road, along with Phoenix, Woodview and the northern areas in Phoenix.

“Whenever I see potholes, or when

residents tell me about them, I report it to the municipality. It’s a growing problem here. Vehicles are being damaged and it is unsafe for motorists to stop on the roadside and get out of their cars to check the damage or fit the spare tyre.”

Umzinto

In Umzinto, which is part of the Umdoni Municipality, residents say you know you have entered the area when you hit a pothole.

“There are potholes when you enter and potholes when you leave Umzinto,” said Evette Chetty, a resident.

“I use my car to and from work and, during my journey, I have to manoeuvre the car like a snake would move to avoid the potholes. But you cannot avoid them all. They have damaged my car rims and tyres and the alignment needs to be adjusted. It’s R299 just for the alignment, which I have to do regularly. My vehicle has been going through hell.”

Ash Moodley, a community activist, said he helped residents lodge claims with the municipality.

“I know the woman at the complaints section because of how often I call her.

“She processes the complaints, but unfortunately, no one takes the matter further. I own a vehicle restoration company and there are a number of cars needing repairs from pothole damage.”

He said the areas where some of the potholes were included Money Road, Court Road and Nelson Mandela Road in the Umzinto CBD, and Gandhinagar.

Msawakhe Mayisela, the spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality, said: “The Roads and Stormwater Department falls within the Engineering Unit and operates from 23 depots in six regions within the eThekwini area.

“The department is primarily responsible for the effective maintenance of roads and stormwater systems.

“All complaints related to the repair and maintenance of municipal roads, including potholes and the stormwater system, may be directed to the Roads and Stormwater Department via the Engineering Unit’s 24-hour call centre on toll-free 080 131 3013, or email Eservices@durban.gov.za A complaints reference number will be given, should it be necessary to query the complaint further.

“The department will respond to complaints related to potholes, trenches in the road, missing stormwater drain covers and stormwater blockages within 24 hours to initially ensure that the situation is assessed and made safe where necessary.”

The Umdoni Municipality did not respond by publication deadline.

How to claim:

If a motorist wants to claim for damage to their vehicle due to a pothole, they must visit the 6th floor Florence Mkhize Building, 251 Anton Lembede Street, Durban and fill in the forms provided.

You must have photos as proof of the incident, and other information required including the cost of damages, drivers licence and ID.

The email for insurance claims is: claims@durban.gov.za