Sewage stench ‘suffocates’ businesses in Jacobs
The sewage issue has been reported to the municipality several times, yet no progress have been made.
BUSINESS owners have raised their concerns of sewage overflowing from a manhole on the corner of Hime Lane and Shetland Road in Jacobs for more than a month.
They said despite several reports being made to the eThekwini Municipality nothing has been done.
Fortune Vezi, the director at D&B Industrial, said sewage overflow from manholes has been a recurring issue and despite being reported countless times, there is no joy. He said their company is currently affected as the manhole is situated outside its premises.
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“It is frustrating, as it is a health hazard and an eye-sore. We do our best to try and clean-up, but it is municipal-owned infrastructure. It is their duty to sort it out and repair the infrastructure. We can help as we have equipment if they need it.
“It is affecting us on a daily basis as the sewage runs into our premises, in front of our boardroom and into the building, especially when it rains. It is a ghastly sight and the stench is unbearable. How are we expected to work in such conditions? We pay our rates on time and this is the service delivery we get in return? It is time the municipality do their bit,” he said.
Rennie Naicker, a director at Bradcor Electrical, situated in Chelmer Road, said business owners in the area banded together and started the Keep Jacobs Clean project two years ago.
“We are doing our bit to keep the area clean. We have men on the ground who are sweeping the streets, cutting grass, and picking up litter on a daily basis. We also put concrete bollards on several pavements, verges, and center islands to prevent illegal parking and to protect municipal infrastructure. However, now that we need the municipality, we have been ignored for the past month.
“It is disgusting that these are the conditions we as business owners, our staff and clients have to deal with. It is frustrating as there is communication from the municipality acknowledging our complaints, or a response that they are going to try to resolve the problem. We are going the extra mile to help them at our costs. We had even spent R5 000 for a private plumbing company to have a look at this issue, but our hands are tied as it is municipal infrastructure. We just need this issue resolved,” he said.
The eThekwini Municipality did not comment at the time of publishing.
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