Centurion Hospice says the repeated sewage leaks affecting its property have continued as it awaits the completion of a bridge supposed to mitigate some of its issues.
The facility is located near a large sinkhole that formed in Clifton Avenue in 2022.
Sewage lines and other utilities had to be diverted around the hole when it continued to expand.
But the temporary solution was met with some difficulty as the pipes frequently get blocked, while pumps and power lines were stolen.
The facility has been flooded with sewage in the last two weeks, as effluent was expelled from a manhole on the hospice grounds on eight occasions, the latest being Wednesday, April 24.
Hospice spokesperson Hyla van den Berg said the hospice needed to be proactive to avoid being overwhelmed by the leak.
“If we are not proactively managing it, it may take over,” she said.
“So far we have avoided the sewage getting inside, and we are still fully operational.”
The hospice has 16 beds for terminally ill patients and usually cares for them during their last 14 days of life.
It runs completely on donations from the public, proceeds of the restaurant on the premises and the catering services it provides.
“The sinkhole already compromises people coming here, this is just another problem to add to the list.”
The hospice welcomes donations of cleaning aids and chemicals, as the facility can only use certain cleaning aids to avoid contamination.
The bridge being built to carry the pipes and other utilities across the sinkhole is expected to be completed by Monday, April 29.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the sinkhole tops the list for repairs, but work could only begin once it has stopped expanding and the geotechnical investigation has been concluded.
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