Tree stump left after Joburg Water repairs blocks Mackay Avenue, councillor warns residents

What happened

Joburg Water carried out repairs on a burst pipe on Mackay Avenue. The burst pipe had caused water to seep beneath a long-standing roadside tree, and the tree was cut down to access the damaged infrastructure. While the pipe was fixed, the remaining tree stump was not removed and now occupies part of a driving lane.

Safety and traffic disruption

The obstruction has created ongoing safety risks and traffic disruptions, with motorists forced to navigate around the stump and sometimes driving in the oncoming lane.

Councillor response and follow-up

Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete warned residents and road users to be cautious of outstanding reinstatements throughout the ward and said she would continue to press for services to be rendered.

“If the stump was removed as part of the repair, then it forms part of the site disturbance, and Johannesburg Water should remove or properly reinstate it as part of the reinstatement process,” said the ward councillor.

Campbell-Cloete said she reported the stump to City Parks and was told it will be removed once the work on the schedule is completed. She said she will keep following up and will keep residents updated.

Advice to road users

Residents and motorists have been urged to exercise extra caution when driving or walking on Mackay Avenue while the stump remains in place.