For the residents of Ninth Avenue, it seems as if uThukela District Municipality has forgotten them. An incessant sewage leak has been plaguing the street for more than 10 years and it seems to be getting worse.
After several calls to the district and local municipalities, as well as councillors, resident Nokuthula Ngcobo was able to get the assistance of local Mayor Mduduzi Myeza in October last year. The mayor’s intervention resulted in uThukela staff unblocking the sewerage pipes.
It was temporary relief for those affected, as the leak stopped for about a month.
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When Ngcobo approached the Estcourt News for assistance in publicising the conditions that Ninth Avenue residents have to endure, she said that the obvious health hazard and ever-present stink was becoming too much to bear.
Seeking answers and action from uThukela proved elusive. On November 21, communications manager Jabulani Mkhonza assured Estcourt News that the sewer leak would be attended to.
“With regards to the situation in Ninth Avenue, the order has been issued for a sewer jetting machine and will be addressed before the end of business today,” he said at the time.
However, as Ngcobo and her neighbours patiently waited for repairs, none materialised.
“All through the holidays, we’ve been living like this and I’ve honestly run out of options. The smell has become unbearable and the water is now green, not to mention the flies that are bothering us. We can’t even open our windows in this heat,” commented an exasperated Ngcobo.
Despite several attempts to get an update from uThukela, none was received
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