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Rowhill residents Noel and Sine Schumann have resorted to lighting scented candles in their home to cope with the stench of overflow sewage.
The stench is the result of a sewage leak from a manhole, which has created a river of effluent in a field across the road.
“We can hardly breathe, it makes you want to vomit. We light these candles just so we don’t have to breathe in that stench all day,” said Sine.
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Noel said he has contacted the City of Ekurhuleni many times but his calls always go unanswered.
He added metro workers arrived last week to take a look at the manhole but left soon afterwards and never returned.
“The problem is the wind blows right over this river toward our house so we are continually bombarded with the stench,” he said.
Also read: Sewage problem reaches breaking point
Rowhill CPF leader Tim Wickins said the situation is unacceptable and the municipality needs to be held accountable.
Sine said she is embarrassed by the stench and feels uncomfortable when she invites friends over to the house.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s response will be published once it has been received.