Burst sewer pipe fixed, 12 months on

RESIDENTS, employees and a workers’ union welcomed the fixing of a burst sewer pipe at the Umbumbulu Department of Social Development offices, that had been left unattended for almost 12 months before the intervention of the Daily News.

The burst pipe, which employees had described as creating a “river of hell”, was fixed last week after the paper was approached by residents and department employees, and the problem was then reported to the ethekwini Municipality.

Spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the municipality was committed to engaging with the department to ensure the environment was safe for both the public and employees.

“We appreciate the role played by the media in helping to bring to our attention such matters which require of us to act. We will speak to the department and make sure that everything is sorted. Our people must get the best service delivery; we will ensure that standards do not drop.”

Public Servants Association of SA (PSA) chairperson Mlungisi Ndlovu welcomed the developments in addressing the matter. “We appreciate the response received from Mrs (Nelisiwe) Vilakazi, HOD of the Department of Social Development, and everyone concerned that the local management failed to attend … to this sewage spillage that’s been there for over 12 months.

“We want to send a message to all employers putting our members in danger due to unhealthy working conditions, that the PSA we will not hesitate to take legal action to enforce members’ rights. We appeal to our members not to tolerate unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. Any non-compliance must be reported.”

Social Development spokesperson Mhlabunzima Memela denied that the department had failed to attend to the sewage problem for 12 months.

“It’s not true that the department is doing nothing about the situation in the office and that it had been a year since the problem started. After the department was informed, we immediately had to get contractors to deal with it.”

A senior employee at the department offices confirmed that the pipe had been fixed. For months, she said, they had tried to raise the matter with officials, but no one attended to the matter. “I’m glad that days of vomiting due to the unbearable smell are now behind us. Infrastructure in the department is collapsing and no one is willing to do anything. I do not understand why the department should be pushed by the media before they do what they are supposed to do.”