Enkululekweni sewage crisis stink

Residents worried about diseases

AN ONGOING sewage crisis in Enkululekweni in Mlungisi continues to stir up anger among the residents of the area.

Resident Ntombekhaya Shoba said skipping over sewage flowing from the drains was a daily practice.

Shoba said she had been living under these bad conditions for four years with no change.

“We have a leaking sewerage drain in our yard, as do a couple of neighbouring houses in our street. We are worried that our children will contract diseases.”

Shoba said she was distressed by the situation as, “I have to eat in an environment infiltrated by a foul smell. Sometimes I close my door to try to get rid of it but in spite of that, it never goes away.”

Shoba said she did not bother to attend community meetings because she noticed the sewage continued to overflow, while there was a furrow saturated with water. “If our children drown, will the municipality bring them back?”

She said if the infrastructure could not be attended to immediately, it would be fair if the municipality would assign Water and Sanitation Services South Africa workers to visit the area on a weekly base to ensure spillages were under control.

“I plead with the government to work with us by taking note of such issues in order for us to not have anything to complain about.”

Nosipho Gecelo, who also lives in the ward, said councillor Bulelwa Nkomorani had indicated that there was a problem in the sanitation system in the area, which she promised the municipality would fix.

Gecelo said years had since gone by without any progress.

Chris Hani District Municipality communications manager Thobeka Mqamelo said, “Upon investigation, our technicians discovered that storm water drainage is constantly blocked by rubbish that is thrown [in there] indiscriminately, affecting the sewerage line and hence the spillage.”

Mqamelo said it was inaccurate to conclude that nothing was being done regarding the matter.

She said the sewage spillage had been attended to and that neutralisation of the stench and debris with chemicals had also been undertaken. The stagnant puddle of water was being sucked out.

“To ensure a lasting solution the whole line will be cleared.

“Continuous education awareness campaigns are necessary to educate the community on, among others, disposing of garbage responsibly in order to preserve this sewerage infrastructure.”