Residents live in hell with sewerage

Residents of Albert Luthuli Park in Ext 4 said they have learnt to live with sewage flowing in their homes and streets, as it has become their everyday reality.

Affected community members said the ongoing sewage spills have affected their quality of life.

According to Lulamani Ndlangamandla, the recurring blockages began a year ago due to lack of infrastructure maintenance.

“We are forced daily not to open the door and windows even when it’s scorching hot because the stench of sewage overflowing from a manhole located inside our yard is unbearable.’

Ndlangamandla, who survives on the income he gets from tenants, said about five months ago he lost a tenant who couldn’t bear the smell.

“The tenant was forced to move out because she had two young children who were constantly sick as they faced a serious health hazard. We are now used to seeing sanitary, diapers and toilet paper flowing in the streets and in our yards. We really need help because we can’t live like this.”

He shared that they have engaged the councillor before but it seems their grievances have fallen on deaf ears.

Another resident Sibongile Ngwenya, who owns an early childhood development centre called Successful Day Care, said when it’s scorching hot, the sewage smell creeps into daycare affecting the concentration of learners.

Joyce Mokubedu pointed out that the ongoing sewerage isn’t the only problem affecting them but also the crumbling state of roads.

“My husband’s car always requires maintenance due to the poor roads. When we require the services of an e-hailing vehicle or an ambulance we are told that we must wait at a nearby shopping centre because they can’t drive in the area,” said Mokubedu.

City of Ekurhuleni responds
According to metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the Water and Sanitation Department recently attended to all reported sewer incidents in Benoni, Daveyton and Etwatwa.

“The sewer teams are on-site clearing backlog of sewer blockages within Chief Albert Luthuli Park Ext 4 and the surrounding areas. We can confirm that during the attendance of sewer overflows in the area, it was discovered that most of the blockages are caused by foreign objects such as rubbles, stones, sanitary towels, rugs, carcasses etc,” said Dlamini.

Dlamini said the depot’s action plans include the constant monitoring of sewer overflows in the area and attending blockages within the service level agreement (SLA).

“The sweeping of the sewer lines is part of preventative maintenance and repairing all sewer broken lines and channels to prevent sewer overflows and blockages.

“The city is currently liaising with the support service section to conduct an education and awareness campaign to the affected communities to prevent discharging/flushing of foreign objects and servitude encroachment,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents have refuted claims that the Water and Sanitation Department has attended to all reported sewer incidents in their area.

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