VANDERBIJLPARK – Residents of SW5 in Vanderbijlpark are suffering from a severe sewage crisis, which draws back seven years.
According to community leaders, and locals in the area, the headache brings nothing but more problems for them.
From their pets dying, illnesses, and the deteriorating state of their homes, these are some of the problems created by the crisis.
Ster Team visited the area last week and was met with algae piled up in the streets coming from small and big manholes.
As if this was not enough, some of the yards in the area such as that of Phillip Crouse, an 87-year-old who is among the first residents of this suburb were covered in faeces.
Crouse told the paper how his health is affected by the sewer in his yard.
“My skin is popping things I can’t explain because of this sewer. As you found me, I was resting as I feel a little under the weather, which I suspect comes from the same sewer,” he said.
A huge stanch and flies filled the yard as water popped out from a drain, covering the front door, leading to the old man being trapped in front using the normal kitchen door.
“Sometimes the municipality sends people to fix the mess, but it always comes out pouring from the drains again. After the job is been done, it will take a smooth week of cleaning the yards, but guess what, the next months will be raining sewer,” he said.
Ward Committee Member for Environmental Planning, Dawie Jordaan said “This major problem has been going on for many years and we’ve tried to report it to many government people and departments without assistance.”
“People can’t be subjected to such terrible and unbearable conditions. Emfuleni sent out a communique recently regarding Vereeniging sewage lines being bypassed. We’ve suffered for years and they know about it. Despite the problem getting worse, why can’t they do the same in this area? There is no way the municipality can easily say they can’t solve this mess,” he said.
Jordaan said all they are hoping for is getting assistance in getting the aged pipelines revamped.
When the Team was on site, a honey sucker from an external company appointed by the municipality was seen doing work, giving hope to the suffering residents.
By noon, pumping sewage could be seen going down in the drains, although, pouring out in different areas in the same hood.
A day later, when Ster visited the area again, it was the same normal wet sewage-filled streets.
Ward Councillor Pieter Verbeek said he has failed to address the issue with all relevant stakeholders.
“Over the years I have written weekly reports, engaged the district development model, pinpointed and written to different departments without any assuring response. I’ve been trying to keep this thing alive by trying to find a solution, and dismally failed,” he said.
ELM has not commented at the time of publishing this story.
