‘Raw sewage is spilling into our front entrance’
BUSINESS owners in Medigate Road, umhlanga have called for ethekwini’s Department of Water and Sanitation to deal with regular spills from a sewerage facility.
The plant inside Medigate Medical Centre is said to have been faulty for the past four months. Although it had stopped overflowing when the City Watch team visited this week, business owners are concerned it could soon burst as it has been happening frequently.
“We are pleading with ethekwini to conduct a major repair. The entire road gets messy when it bursts. Something needs to be done,” said Dr Tina Mclynn.
“We have seen raw sewage spilling into our parking yard and front entrance. This poses a serious health hazard.”
She said she had exhausted all avenues to get the municipality to repair the sewer, hence contact with City Watch.
“They are aware of this problem, but are doing nothing. Numerous calls to the city’s emergency lines are not helping because a caller is sent from one official to the other, and no one seems to understand the urgency.”
Mclynn said she believed the underground sewerage pipes had reached the end of their lifespan and were in need of upgrading. “Having this sewer in front of our main entrance is a disgrace. At times sewage is flowing down Medigate Road and the stench spreads to other businesses, including the hospital and hotels. It is unbearable.”
Another medical practitioner, who asked not to be named, said the situation affected umhlanga’s status as a premier holiday destination. “Sanitation should be a priority, especially in a busy area like umhlanga. We pay the municipality for this service but when you report a fault, they take too long to respond.
“It is so bad the smell causes headaches and stomach pains, and makes it difficult to eat.”
City spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa said the blockage had been cleared. She said the public’s littering appeared to be the cause.