Leaking storm water drainage a nightmare
The stench from a leaking storm water drain in Robinson Road has become unbearable for Komani shop owners.
Glenlie Furnishers owner Charmaine Brown said the problem was a daily occurrence and had persisted for four years without intervention from the municipality.
“The drains here are an absolute nightmare. The sewage comes out all the time and sometimes damages my stock. The smell comes into the shop and I have reported this to Water and Sanitation South Africa, as well as the municipality.
“An inspector was here [last week] and he keeps telling me they can’t do anything about it. This has been a health hazard and at some point, the drain was left open. People sweeping the streets, swept the rubbish into the drains. I am losing customers and sometimes I have to close the shop. I have 12 people working for me and I cannot afford to lose my employees for something that can be sorted out.”
Brown said attempts to contact the municipality were in vain and calls went unanswered.
“I have put in all sorts of chemicals to remove the smell, but it only lasts for a short while and starts to smell again.”
Top T general assistant Tembinkosi Notshulwana said he had been working for the company for two years and the drain had been leaking since his arrival.
“It becomes a problem because the drain is right at our entrance. When there is flooding, it becomes difficult for customers to come into the shop. We have to use our own cleaning chemicals to suppress the smell and have reported it countless times to the relevant people without success.”
Notshulwana said this had a negative impact on their business and added that it was going to cause problems, especially because health and safety representatives make regular visits to the premises.
Manager in the office of the mayor, Butsha Lali, said after receiving the repo rt the municipality had spoken to the Chris Hani District Municipality about the matter, assuming it was a water and sanitation issue. They had since been informed that the problem was related to the municipal drainage system.
“We have assigned the technical services department to look at the problem. We are dealing with a massive case in Ezibeleni where about three weeks ago, more than 13 households were affected. Most of our problems relate to drainage and maintenance is related to insufficient machinery,” Lali said.