‘I had to celebrate Christmas in these unhealthy conditions’
Residents of Kersiedorp, Eldorado Park are fed up with living in conditions that are harmful to their health.
Jocelyn Abrahams and Jessica Maynard shared their frustration over unhygienic living conditions. Abrahams explained that her house drain has been blocked since the beginning of the year and has sewage overflowing from it.
The resident alleged that she has contacted the Ward Councillor Dwain Ponsonby several times but received no help. She then found out about the Kersiedorp Concerned Residents Committee and asked them for assistance.
“They have divided Kersiedorp into three sections so we are classified as KD3. This committee is an initiative by the residents for the residents to try and do our bit because if we do not stand together to make things work, we will all suffer. The committee sent people out to fix the drain but here in our area, if one drain is affected we all get affected. The sewage pipe burst in the passage so our neighbour’s drains have sewage coming out as well,” explained Abrahams.
Maynard lives next to the burst pipe in the passage which has caused the drain in the yard to overflow with sewage water. The residents said Joburg Water came to have a look at the burst pipe but never returned to fix it.
“This water is green and smells really bad. Everyone is complaining about their children who are getting sick and we assume that it is because of this sewage water,” added Abrahams.
“This issue started last year in December during the festive season for me. I had to celebrate Christmas in these unhealthy conditions. The committee managed to get someone to fix it but it was only fixed for a week and then the issue started again. We spoke to the councillor numerous times but he never came out. We only saw him when it was time to vote but now, we don’t see him at all,” said a frustrated Maynard.
The resident added that they do not even leave their doors open because of the sewage smell. Maynard said she and her children have to clean the space but when they look again, it’s almost as if they never even cleaned the area because the sewage water accumulates again.
“We have lots of flies and even lots of mosquitoes at night because of this issue. This councillor must do his job, we voted for him, they promised us a lot of things but now they are doing nothing for us,” she concluded.
We contacted Ponsonby for comment, however at the time of publishing he had still not commented on the issues.
