Calls for Eendracht’s sewerage system to be looked at after cow almost drowns in sewer pit
The men eventually manage to secure the animal by the horns and to lift her to safety from where she at first shook herself off, found her feet and trotted off to where the home owner put out a bowl of fresh clean water
EENDRACHT – The combined efforts of a handful of good Samaritans saved a cow from drowning in a pit of sewage at Eendracht on Wednesday, 14 November.
According to Mr Jabu Nyaweni, inspector at the Highveld Ridge SPCA, the animal fell into the pit in the corner of a resident’s yard at about 9am that morning, several hours before she could actually be taken out.
“She was grazing in the residential area where she stepped onto corrugated steel plates that covered the sewer pit.
“This gave way under the animal and she ended up in a pit that was filled with sewage,” Mr Nyaweni explained.
Residents also informed Ms Mariaan Chamberlain of the situation.
While Mr Nyaweni phoned the newspaper for help in finding someone with the correct gear and who was willing to assist in lifting the animal out of the pit, Ms Chamberlain arranged for the Govan Mbeki Municipality to drain the sewer pit.
Mr Alf Byleveldt from Jelani Security was immediately eager to help and arranged with Megabus to supply their heavy duty tow-in tuck.
Mr Nyaweni and Mr Nick Strydom, chairman of the SPCA, tried to keep the distressed animal calm while she was waiting to be pulled from the sewage.
The men eventually managed to secure the animal by the horns and to lift her to safety.
She at first shook herself off, found her feet and trotted off to where the homeowner put out a bowl of fresh clean water.
The owner of the animal was not on the scene.
Ms Chamberlain said the municipality will have to look at securing sewer pits and to clean it out more often before a child drowns in one.
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