Elderly residents of Kruinhof Retirement Village in Elandsfontein have faced a stinking blocked sewage and water drain for two months.

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Pensioners reported to the GCN on July 6 that their voices are not heard by the home management and ward councillor.

They blamed the municipality for not maintaining the village.

Marie van der Merwe (82), said the councillor or the caretakers have not been helpful.

“We are being told that we must wait until July because the municipality does not have money,” said van der Merwe.

“The call centre phone just rings for 10 then it automatically hangs up,” she said.

She said they can’t use their toilets and bathrooms or the kitchen sinks.

 

“When we flush the toilet the water pushes up. The kitchen sink as well and our outside water drains have been blocked,” said van der Merwe.

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“I had to hire a mobile toilet at a cost of R1 400 for two weeks. Our living conditions are unhealthy for anyone not to mention people our age,” she said.

“The last time I experienced three weeks without hot water was because of a cable fault. I had to get an electrician to fix the problem,” explained van der Merwe.

“Not everyone has the money to hire their own electrician or toilet. If it was not for my daughter who is in Australia I wouldn’t be able to pay any of the extra costs.”

Nancy Simoes said it has been two months since her water drain has been blocked.

Elsie Theart said the last time the drains were blocked, the dirty and stinking water reached their door steps along with nappies and condoms.

“I don’t always have hot water. It’s cold, it is winter. I need warm water to survive the weather conditions. I am now forced to do all my chores with cold water,” said Theart.

Marlene Bergh said she is looking after her husband who is in a wheelchair.

“I have to wake up at 05:00 in the cold to do my laundry every day because the water level has subsided by then. During the day I can’t wash anything because the water pushes up,” said Bergh.

“In the five years that I have been here, the sewage has blocked twice.

“The municipality takes time to attend to it.

“The main hole is next to a big tree.

“The last time they pumped stuff from that main hole, tree roots came out.

“I think the tree should be cut because it may be affecting the infrastructure,” said Bergh.

Ward 39 Clr Kade Guerreiro said Kruinhof Retirement Village is part of Ekurhuleni rental stock and is maintained by the city and relevant departments.

“Yards and gardens are cleaned regularly within six weeks. Kruinhof does not have security staff.

“This matter has been taken up with the officials from housing.

“Toilets and sewage is a huge challenge with regular blockages and the departments do their best to respond quickly,” said Guerreiro.

“The housing department and officials are aware of the blockages in two units and teams should arrive soon to fix and unblock,” he said.

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“Kruinhof and Elandsfontein sewer lines are overloaded by illegal connections. The current infrastructure is old and under severe strain.

“There is an increase in the local population and illegal connections to the sewer system in the area.

“The community in the area should consider the upgrading of the sewer line as a priority in their IDP Budget for the 2023/ 24 financial year,” said Guerreiro.

 

Zweli Dlamini, CoE spokesperson said all maintenance-related complaints are attended to as and when complaints are received.

“Major infrastructural maintenance is planned for and implemented according to the city’s maintenance plan.

“The last major maintenance work was done in 2020.

“The city will soon allocate contractors to attend to the maintenance work. Upon the contractors being allocated, the matter will then be attended to,” said Dlamini.

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“Sewage is not a problem, however, sewer lines are blocked when tenants throw items such as plastics, can, nappies etc. into the toilet or drainage line,” he said.

“The city’s departments of Human Settlements, Energy and Real Estates are responsible for various areas of maintenance of the retirement village,” said Dlamini.