Businesses can no longer bear the stench in Secunda Square

Businesses in Secunda Square have had enough of the raw sewage that continuously overflows in the delivery bay between Cash Crusaders and Secunda Square.

The Ridge Times received complaints from businesses in this area saying that it is a health hazard and that a permanent solution needs to be made to stop the sewage spill.

Businesses are pointing fingers at the flats occupied at Secunda Square and say that when the drains are unblocked, it is a matter of days before they overflow again.

It is a horrendous sight of raw faeces and toilet paper. Never mind the flies that are being attracted and an unbearable stench.

The stench has become so bad that some businesses that have kitchens facing the delivery area cannot be used.

When it is hot or there is load-shedding, back entrances cannot be left open due to the stench that travels all the way through the shops.

Besides posing a health hazard to employees, it is also a hazard to the client base.

In some cases, clients will leave the shops because of the unbearable stench.

Speaking to the Ridge Times, regional manager for Cash Crusaders, Matthew Entres said that this matter has been a problem since before he came to this branch last year and that it is getting worse.

“We have a huge infestation of flies. We cannot access our back door because of the stench,” said Entres.

He said there are always temporary solutions when unblocking the drains, however a more, permanent one needs to be made.

“This is a health risk, the stench is unbearable. My staff has to eat in the kitchen with this lingering smell.

“We have suppliers delivering stock and they are being exposed to such hazardous conditions.

“We don’t want to fight with anyone, but really I have to think about my staff’s health and customers coming into our shop.

“We are committed to improving our local communities and being part of the solution to improving the country and making sure every person has a healthy working environment,” said Entres.

Responding to the Ridge Times, Vuso Majija, executive director for Fortress Retail, said that ultimately GMM is responsible for the repairs on these lines.

“Plumbing and drainage on municipal land serve various buildings including our Secunda Square.

“This has been an ongoing problem and we have sometimes taken the initiative to use our plumbers to repair blockages when the need arises around our buildings in the CBD,” said Majija.

He said the most recent blockage was attended to by Rescue Rod.

He said that the municipality will have to take the lead in a more permanent solution.

“Our plumbers are drafting a recommendation to reroute the sewer lines and remove all 90 degree bends which are susceptible to blockages. This will be sent to the municipality when completed,” said Majija.

It is not known for sure what the problem is with the drain, however, after viewing the current pipe layout, Majija said they suspect that it is a combination of numerous 90 degree bends on the line and the accumulation (over the years) of debris in the pipes.

“We also plan to conduct a camera inspection of the line to determine the actual cause,” said Majija.

A long term solution will have to be driven by the municipality.

“We have asked our plumber to come up with a long term recommendation which we intend to discuss with the municipality.

“We are also investigating our own tenants to ensure that they are not depositing any items that could cause blockages in the lines.

“The ongoing blockage issues are a cause for major concern and we understand the frustration from surrounding businesses. An urgent solution (long-term) is required,” said Majija.

He said they will push to meet with the municipality to find a solution for this and thinks that surrounding businesses should also communicate with the municipality so that this issue can be attended and get a permanent solution.

Images containing contributing factors that cause the blockages including 90 degree bends have been supplied by Fortress Retail.

These images can be viewed on the Ridge Times webpage.

GMM’s acting head of communications, Donald Green, said he had been informed by the team that the blockage is on private property. No further comment was made available.