AN unbearable smell, mosquitos and flies are the conditions that KwaCutshwayo residents near KwaNdengezi have been forced to live under after a sewage pipe burst in September last year.
As a result waste is flowing into the river, which is close to residential homes. Some residents and their children have fallen ill, ostensibly due to the unhygienic conditions.
Community leader, Bigboy Shezi, said they do not know what steps to take after numerous reports to the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“This problem is getting worse as children are getting sick. No human being is suppose to live under such terrible conditions. It been four months now and not even one official has come to our aid.”
Shezi added that the river was very useful to the community as it provided them with water.
He said they have also reported this issue to ward councillor, Patrick Mfeka, but they last saw him in 2012.
Aaron Mtshali (74), who was born and bred in the area, said they have never experienced anything like this before.
“I have lived here all my life, and ever since that pipe burst we are forced to live indoors and not open the windows because the smell and the flies are unbearable.
“My grandchild has a rash all over the body because of the mosquitos; at night it is so difficult to sleep.”
His wife, Agnes, said in summer they used to enjoy fresh air on the veranda, but now they have to lock themselves in the house.
“Last year we had a terrible Christmas, we could not even enjoy the food. The sun was very hot, and the smell that comes from the river gets worse when it is hot,” said Agnes.
Ward councillor, Patrick Mfeka said he went to the Cutshwayo River last week to assess the problem, but did not see any waste in the river.
“I also asked a member of the ward committee who resides in that area, and he had no clue about the pollution.”
Mfeka admitted that it could be possible that he went to the wrong side of the river.
“This area is big, and there are new demarcations that have been allocated to Ward 14. But now that I am aware of this I will visit the area and report it to the municipal offices.”
