RAW sewage has been surfacing in the showers, bath tub and outside drains at a Park Hill family’s home for almost a year now.
Speaking to Northglen News, Liana Wagener said her parents, Clem and Classina Gafney, have owned the property in Belvedere Road since 1968 and have never had a problem such as this before.
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There are two houses on the property – one in which Wagener and her parents live and another which is occupied by tenants.
“The sewage problem only affects our tenants’ home. The issue started after the April floods last year, but it was not bad at first. Our tenants tried to sort the issue out themselves by using a drain killer because they thought there was a problem with the plumbing in the house. Nothing worked. It started to get worse in December last year,” said Wagener.
She said a number of plumbers were called out to inspect the pipes, and all agreed that the problem was not with the plumbing on the property but with the City’s sewer line in the area.
“We have notified the eThekwini Municipality numerous times and have several reference numbers, but nothing gets done about it. They did send people to take a look, but that’s all they do – look and then leave. My parents have paid thousands to date to clear the pipes on the property, which they should not have had to do,” she said.
On Thursday, the sewage levels had been impacted so badly that the sewage leaks into the house and around the property were exacerbated.
Wagener had to get a private plumber to come out with a honey-sucker.
“When they arrived, they noticed the problem was far worse than they had imagined. They had to get a jetting machine, as well. That alone cost my parents R4K. I called the City and asked for them to send their own honey-sucker. They did, but before I could go out to see who was at the gate, they drove away,” she added.
“It’s the constant back and forth with the municipality that frustrates me. They come to look, then go, and nothing gets done. Then we call again. Then it’s another reference number. How are people expected to live like this?” she asked.
She added that her mother was in tears as she empathised with the tenants who have to live in such unsanitary conditions because the City won’t act on the matter.
“It’s inhumane for people to live like this. They also have a toddler. This is a serious health hazard,” she said.
Ward 36 councillor Shontel de Boer said the issue is not new.
“The problem didn’t start because of the floods; the flood may have worsened it, but the pipe has already been broken for years now, even way before I became the ward councillor,” she said.
De Boer said she reported the matter to the municipality and was told that they are still in the process of finding a budget.
“The department is fully aware of this problem. It is unacceptable that the resident has to live like this, and we have stressed this in all communication with the City,” she said. The eThekwini Municipality did not comment at the time of going to press.
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