EVANDER – Residents are upset about the sewage spills in numerous streets throughout Evander.
Some of these spills have been reported to Govan Mbeki Municipality in December, but to no avail.
An overflowing manhole causes sewage to flow down Solly Zwane Street, past the police station and further down the road.
“All you see is toiletpaper and sewage in the street,” said a resident who wishes to remain anonymous.
“We can’t even invite people over for a braai, because of the stench.
“We have reported it to the municipality, but they are not doing anything about it.”
Residents are concerned that the sewage spillage from Solly Zwane Street and near Aachen Drive in a field, are flowing into the rivers and eventually into the Vaal River.
“The Vaal River is already an ecological disaster.
“It is because of the ‘don’t care’ attitude of the municipality,” exclaimed another resident.
“Learners and other people walk past these areas daily.
“How many germs and diseases are bred in these areas because of the sewage leakages?”
Ms Estelle Swart, DA Councillor, confirmed that the spillages have been reported to the municipality.
“In a previous event, the residents rented a honeysucker truck and cleared the sewage themselves,” said Ms Swart.
“It cost us R30 000 to rent the truck.
“The municipality does not have that kind of money, so we pleaded to them to supply chemicals in order to erradicate the stench.”
Apparently GMM did supply chemicals, however the stench has returned and according to Ms Swart, residents are now taking it upon themselves to clean the pipes.
The Echo asked Mr Benzi Soko, Chief of Staff of Govan Mbeki Municipality for comment on Tuesday, 29 January.
Comment will be published in the next edition.
