A Parkwood man has slammed City of Cape Town contractors after they installed an electricity box “in the middle” of his driveway.
Rashaad Petersen, 56, says he is gatvol of his car being scratched because space is too tight for his VW Polo.
The angry man, who lives in Willow Walk, says the problem arose last year when the City undertook a project to provide electricity to backyard dwellers.
“We saw the workmen and they were laying cables. They dug up the pavement in front of my house and everything was fine,” he says.
“Then one day I came home and saw this box right here in the middle of the driveway. I had to sukkel to get my car in and out.”
Petersen says he went to Ward councillor William Akim, who inspected the work done, and he was told the matter would be handled.
TIGHT: Petersen's car and the electricity box. Photo: MONIQUE DUVAL
“The councillor came here to see for himself, but since then nothing has happened,” says Rashaad.
“Getting in and out is an issue every day and sometimes I park by my mother’s house instead because it’s too much trouble.
“I leave home at 4am and it’s very dangerous. What happens if there is an emergency and I must sukkel to get in and out?
“I don’t understand why they would put it here and not closer to the boundary wall.
“Even worse, they never came to fix the pavement and every time it rains, the hole gets worse.”
Akim confirms the matter was reported to him and says he raised the issue with the Electricity Department during a sub-council meeting but did not receive feedback.
Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Phindile Maxiti, says they were not aware of the issue but the City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department will investigate.
“Prior to receiving this query, the department had no record of any complaints related to infrastructure being installed in primary access ways of any customer,” says Maxiti.
“If it is found that the obstruction is as a result of an erroneous installation in the customer’s primary access, the City will relocate the infrastructure at no cost to the customer.
“However, if the obstruction is as a result of the customer making alterations to their property, which resulted in an additional access or a change to the location of primary access, the customer will be liable to pay for the relocation.”