The Gauteng Health Department has announced that telephone lines at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital are now fully functional.
On Tuesday, the department said it was experiencing technical difficulties with its telephone system. This meant that the facility was unable to receive or make outgoing calls.
“The hospital’s telephone lines are now fully functional. The department apologises for any inconvenience caused during the period of disruption and appreciate your patience and understanding. The hospital is committed to providing continuous and reliable communication services as a channel to access health care,” said Gauteng health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is conducting investigations following the discovery of a trench allegedly left open along the R23 (Heidelberg Road) next to the Mall@Carnival in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.
The illegally reopened trench was discovered on Monday by the departmental contractor while conducting patrols in the area.
As a custodian of all provincial road reserves, the department is by law required to ensure careful control and co-ordination of all works on all road reserves.
“Contractors are required to apply for a wayleave that entitles them the right to use land in a specified manner,” said the Department of Roads and Transport MEC’s spokesperson, Lesiba Mpya.
A wayleave is a “permission or authorisation granted by the department to an applicant who wishes to erect a structure or service on, over or under a road reserve or building restriction area, or to gain access to or egress from a road reserve, or to perform any other activity for which permission or authorisation is required by section 46 of the Act”.
Mpya said application for a wayleave is necessary for monitoring and controlling all works within the road reserve so it conforms with policy and the Service Delivery Agreement.
“The department wishes to caution motorists and cyclists to be vigilant of the illegally opened trenches along provincial roads,” Mpya said.
He said the department is dealing with an alarming increase in vandalism, abuse and theft of road infrastructure, including traffic signals and stops along provincial roads.
“To this end, the department is urging all road users and community members to assist in combating these acts of vandalism and theft by reporting to local police.”
The Star