eMBALENHLE – The Govan Mbeki Municipality spokesperson, Lucky Mhlongo, said the municipality will send a team to the sewer dams in which children swim at Ext 22 in eMbalenhle.
Ridge Times last week published a story and photos of children in a pond filled with sewage. Some said they resorted to swimming in the dams because there are no pools in the area.
Precious Soko, a social worker from eMbalenhle, raised her concern about the health of these children. On her daily community visit on October 3, Soko noticed children swimming in a sewage-filled dam.
Soko said it is concerning because not only are the children’s health at risk, but they risk their lives. This sewage water contains dangerous bacteria that can lead to contracting diseases.
Paulos Thwala, a community leader in Azania informal settlement, also said these sewage dams have been there since the beginning of Ext 22’s establishment.
Three children drowned in sewage ponds since 2018. There are also concerns that children will get ill if they swim in the polluted water.
Mhlongo said the municipality is appealing to the community to stop children from swimming in such dangerous sewer dams.
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