POLOKWANE – One of the residents in Emdo Park said it is becoming difficult to raise newborn babies in such unbearable circumstances since they are vulnerable to diseases and businesses in the area complained they are losing customers due to the awful smell.
“Customers think the smell comes from inside the café so they don’t want to buy from us, not everyone understands the smell is coming from the nearby sewage plant,” one of the business owners said.
Owners of guest houses in the area complained customers do not return after enquiring and the reasons stated are that the smell is just too bad.
Residents complain that they can barely breathe late afternoon and early morning.
In November last year Review enquired from the municipality about the cause for the smell and Spokesperson, Disree Manyane, said: “We have indicated previously that the smell will continue until the completion of the refurbishment project of the plant. The municipality is doing all possible to ensure the impact of the process is lessened and the project is completed as soon as it is possible. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to residents and businesses in the area. Please note the process that results in the smell is just operational and very technical in nature”.
Read more: Smelly business for a while still
The municipality did not respond to our latest requests for comment about why the smell is so bad again.
“It is high time our municipality did something about this as it is starting to affect our health and that of our children as they play outside during late afternoons,” said one concerned reader from Rethabile Gardens.
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