Selogile Leshage and Dustin Wetdewich
The Democratic Alliance has laid a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) about the sewage crisis in Ikageng.
According to Hans-Jurie Moolman, the DA caucus leader, pleas for assistance from the community to the NW405 Local Municipality (former Tlokwe) have been ignored ever since the sewage system close to their homes became blocked. This blockage caused the land and gardens around their homes to be swamped with human waste and raw sewage.
Mrs Lydia Mokele of Ikageng has been battling with a sewage problem since January.
Not one of the four drains in her property is functioning properly; water and faeces are always overflowing. She says the family cannot use the bathtub, toilet or the washing machine.
‘The municipal workers have been to my home a couple of times but they just prod with a rod and nothing is ever resolved. They promised to obtain a map of the house, check the pipes and dig to determine what the problem is,’ she said.
According to her, the stench is unbearable. During last week’s floods, faeces and water were all over the place and she had to pour sand over the dams of sewage to mask the revolting sight.
The situation was not an isolated incident, there were reports of sewage overflowing in extensions 11 and 9 next to the N12.
The Herald also received reports from Suiddorp where sewage was overflowing in Kock, Viljoen and Kamp streets. Residents in these areas were also not able to use their toilets or take a bath for fear of the sewage becoming worse.
According to Willie Maphosa, the municipal spokesperson, when Potchefstroom has abnormally high rainfall in a short period of time there is a huge ingress of storm water into the sewer network. This is caused by storm water seeping through manhole chambers situated throughout the greater Potchefstroom.
One resident in Suiddorp said he understood the problem but felt that the municipality should deal with the situation effectively.
‘Must we be happy with sewage all over our property every time there is heavy rain?’ he asked.
‘It should also be noted that the problem is less systemic than man-made. Some consumers and homeowners channel their storm water into the sewer networks and thus contribute to the sewer system being flooded. We appeal to residents to desist from this practice,” said Maphosa.
According to him, the municipality has been implementing a plan for the last four years to repair and replace all the manholes and all the incorrect connections to the sewer system.
‘Areas that have the highest storm water infiltration will be given first priority,’he said.
