Residents have had enough of sewage stench in Matsulu
They alleged they had made several attempts to report the matter to the local Silulumanzi offices, but were allegedly turned away after being told they should raise the issue with the local councillor.
The residents of Brigatyn and Hambavangeli sections in this township are up in arms over leaking sewage in the area. They voiced their anger and disappointment regarding the City of Mbombela Local Municipality and Silulumanzi officials for allegedly failing to fix their sewerage system for the past four years now.
READ : Residents endure unbearable sewer stench in KaBokweni
“We call on the management of both entities to come to our rescue and permanently solve this problem before the people start getting sick from negligence,” said a community member, Kagiso Molope.
“We cannot even open our windows because of the stench,” he added. More than 33 residents recently signed a petition in which they raised their concerns. “This made no sense at all. Silulumanzi officials use the same road every day and are aware of this smell, but they have never attempted to come up with a permanent solution to the problem,” they said.
READ : Houses built on top of sewer lines blamed for leaks and stench
Richmond Jele, the spokesperson for Silulumanzi, said the overflow at the location came from a manhole inside someone’s yard who has built an illegal structure over the sewer line.
“Our team has once again unblocked the line, but this problem is likely to reoccur unless an alternative sewer line is installed at cost,” he said. Jele added that accessing the sewer line on the property was also a problem as the gates to the property were always locked during the day.
“Access to the premises is always an issue due. There are also dogs on the property and the owner makes it difficult to gain entry,” he concluded.
