VRYHIED KZN: Complaints raised about clogged sewer drains in Bhekuzulu
they have complained and reported the issue numerous times (pipes being blocked and sewage flowing into people’s homes) but their grievances fall on deaf ears.
Residents of the Mpofini area have cried out for help regarding their blocked sewage systems / pipes. It has been said that they have complained and reported the issue numerous times (pipes being blocked and sewage flowing into people’s homes) but their grievances fall on deaf ears.
A journalist from the Vryheid Herald visited the affected households on Monday afternoon, accompanied by Salvation Army field worker Mkhuliseli Mhlongo, who is involved with hygiene issues. Mhlongo said that the people are living in ‘uncomfortable conditions’ and that the issue of clogged sewerage systems is nothing new to them. Nontobeko Sibisi, who lives two houses away from the sewerage plant, said, “It has been a month now since I have had to live in this filth. The toilets are blocked and the drains are affected too. I have called the municipality countless times, only to find that they give out reference numbers and promise to come, but never show up. I am a person who suffers from sinuses, so just imagine… I cannot even open my front door in this heat because of the smell. There are lots of things I have complained about; we are tired of this treatment!”
A man who did not want to be named said, “To us, this has almost become the norm. You just know that whenever you come back from work, the smell of poop will be the first thing that welcomes you before you enter your house. This has been going on for a very long time now. It is so hot these days, which intensifies the odour. Even at midnight, sometimes, we are woken up by the smell. If there is a sewer blockage, we normally see it first, flooding our toilets. Then the drains, before the whole yard is covered with tissue and raw effluent. We used to plant crops in our backyards to try and implement the ‘one home, one garden’ programme, but eventually we had to stop because the crops were being damaged by the sewer water that flows from house to house.”
A man from the Mbatha household (who is also badly affected by this matter) mentioned that in their home, they have children who like to play outside. However, due to the yard being wet and flooded all the time, their movements are limited. He says he calls the municipality ‘almost all the time’ about the same issue, but instead of helping him, reference numbers are given and nothing is ever done. People in the area are now worried about their health, saying that they are breathing polluted air. “How long do we have to live like this? Our health is on the line!” they say.
Later that same day, employees from AbaQulusi Local Municipality visited the site to investigate the issues. It has been reported that the issue is rectified, for now…
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