Mackenzie Park residents at wits’ end over stench of raw sewage
They complained that their drains, manholes and sewers have been overflowing for over a month and this is affecting their health.
Frustrated residents of Snipe Street in Mackenzie Park North have accused the City of Ekurhuleni of not taking them seriously for the municipality’s failure to fix blocked sewer lines in the area, despite lodging several complaints.
They complained that their drains, manholes and sewers have been overflowing for over a month and that the overwhelming stench of the raw sewage around their homes was unbearable and affecting their health.
The residents said this was due to blocked pipes on the main line, which has affected several houses on Snipe Street.
Furthermore, they suspected the manholes were blocked as a result of the illegal mining activities in the area.
When the Benoni City Times visited the area on July 6, we were greeted by an overwhelming stench of sewer when entering Snipe Street from Main Reef Road.
We noticed sewerage overflowing into the community garden on the corner of Snipe Street and Quail Avenue.
Upon inspection, we learnt that it was coming from a nearby property, and the homeowner had to bore a hole into the wall fence and insert two pipes to let the sewer out.
We, furthermore, visited several properties in the area and noticed drains that were overflowing with sewer while several manholes on Snipe and adjoining streets were covered with faeces, plastic bags and toilet paper.
The CoE hasn’t responded to the newspaper’s query. Their only response was a request for the reference numbers, which the residents received when they lodged their complaints.
Also Read: Work underway to fix Putfontein sewer pump station
Also Read: Benoni: “sewer of the East Rand”
