Eldorado Park Children Swimming in Pothole Spark Safety Concerns, JRA Aware of the Pothole
- A video of children swimming in a pothole in Eldorado Park had South Africans worried about their safety and health
- The video shows a group of little boys taking turns practicing their diving skills in a pothole on the side of the road
- The Johannesburg Roads Agency told Briefly News that they are aware of the pothole, and South Africans weighed in
- The community's councillor Juyairiya Kaldine said the water came out of a burst pipe which has been reported to Joburg Water, and Joburg Water spoke to Briefly News
For seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News journalist, covered current affairs, shedding light on critical social infrastructure challenges and unemployment.
Source: Getty Images
ELDORADO PARK, JOHANNESBURG—A pothole big enough for young boys to dive in has worried South Africans about their health.
Children swim in pothole
@Abramjee posted a video of the children swimming in the massive pothole in Eldorado Park, Extension 4. The video shows the boys taking turns and diving into the pothole filled with dirty water.
The children practice their diving skills in the water. The person recording the video jokes, says the divers have talent, and advises them not to get hurt.
JRA speaks to Briefly News
Briefly News reached out to the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
"JRA saw the video," spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers told Briefly News.
She referred Briefly News to Joburg Water, which has not responded.
Councillor speaks to Briefly News
The area's councillor, Juyairiya Kaldine, told Briefly News a burst pipe caused it. Kaldine also expressed concern that an adult was recording them and did not stop them.
"On Sunday, when the video went viral, I contacted the MD, and it received immediate attention. My concern is why an adult would take a video and allow kids to jump in the water when it poses a great danger and safety to children," Kaldine said.
Joburg Water speaks to Briefly News
Joburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala spoke to Briefly News about the burst pipe.
"Johannesburg Water is aware of the video that was circulating on social media. There was a burst pipe on Mapelaberg Street Eldorado Park. Repairs of the burst began on Thursday, 5 September 2024. The excavation was a result of that repair process. (In order for Johannesburg Water teams to locate, assess, and repair a burst water pipe, they need to dig the ground open and expose the pipe; this process is called excavating.)
"During repairs, it was noted that welding would be needed before the team could complete repairs. The site was then barricaded accordingly by the team using the standard barricading material as per the health and safety requirements of a construction site/zone.
"On Monday, 9 September, the welding process began at the site, repairs have been completed, and the excavation has been backfilled. Next, a job card will be created for the reinstatement process to be completed," she said.
View the video here:
South Africans worried about the kids
Netizens were concerned that the children risked their health swimming in the pothole.
Xeki said:
"The area should have been barricaded, and it is also dangerous for motorists."
Daily Breeze said:
"This is bad. These kids can contract illnesses from this water."
Yollu said:
"The adult is filming and allowing these children to do something that could harm them."
The Special One asked:
"There is a well-maintained swimming pool in Extension 9. Why are they risking their lives?"
Adian Richards said:
"Please get more funding to build more swimming pools."
Pothole causes plane to crash
In a relayed article, Briefly News reported that a small plane that did an emergency stop crashed because of a pothole in Gqeberha.
The incident happened as the pilot made an emergency landing to refuel. He saw a pothole, swerved, and crashed into a pole. Nobody was injured.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
