Neighbours feud

A potentially- nasty feud fuelled by stench and rubbish is brewing between neighbours on 4th Avenue.

It arises from a resident and shop owner alleging that a neighbour deliberately empties waste, urine and sometimes faeces in front of her business to spite her and others nearby.

Lizzy Hlongwane said the neighbour, Kate Mothopeng, did this as part of a long feud between the families and the problem may result in a nasty confrontation. The culprit she said brought the waste almost daily from across the street and empties it next to a drainage system in front of the shop fouling the place and distracting some of her customers. “It’s more convenient for her to empty the waste either in her toilet or sink rather than across the street to deliberately foul our front space.”

She said amazingly Mothopeng was employed by the City’s health department and should be leading by example on health matters. She alleges that most times the emptying was done after cleaning crews had passed to maximise the effect of the stench and health risks on her and the neighbours.

She said she reported the matter to Ace, Mothopeng’s husband when he was a member of the street committee, but nothing was done. Hlongwane also reported the matter to the councillor, but nothing has been done.

Mothopeng couldn’t be reached, but Mothopeng’s husband said Hlongwane’s allegations were unfounded and malicious as only water and kitchen waste was emptied into the drain which is a public amenity. “The lady is unable to live amicably with others and her shop has been constructed illegally, next to the drain, on other people’s claimed land and also, it blocks street parking.” He added that Hlongwana had also reported the same issue to the police who found no evidence. “Her problem is a camouflage for some deep-rooted personal problems, conflict between families and her seeking media publicity would aggravate the situation,” he stressed.