The eThekwini Municipality strike that has seen workers down their tools and took to the streets of Durban in protest for higher salaries, has subsequently resulted in unattended sewage leaks on several roads and residential areas along the Bluff.
Bluff resident and chairperson for the ratepayers committee, Ivor Aylward, who lives on Watsonia Road, woke to the stench of sewage for the past two weeks, which has been flowing down the road outside his home. Not only is the stench overwhelming, it also poses a health hazard for the young and old who walk on the road daily.
Ivor said that the issue has been ongoing before the strike began. “My countless attempts to contact eThekwini Municipality on the matter proved unsuccessful. I eventually received a response from Metro Water. I was given a reference number and I was told that they would attend to my query. Until today, no one has come to unblock the sewage drainage systems and now it is flowing onto the road and into stormwater drains which further flows into a canal at the golf course that can easily overflow and increase potential health threats,” said Ivor.
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Ivor said that residents are both frustrated and concerned about the matter and are urging the municipality to bring workers to come and assess the damage in the area. Ward 66 councillor, JP Prinsloo, said that he is aware of the issues faced by residents. “The Bluff has been severely affected by the municipal strike. Some areas are experiencing severe water shortages as well as burst pipes and water leaks. Refuse has also not been collected for more than a week and various sewage manholes are overflowing. We are doing everything in our power to assist residents in resolving these issues, but it has been hampered by officials currently on strike serving our community,” he said.
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