It has been more that 10 months after some residents of a section in Hlalanikahle Extension 3 had to bear the smell of sewerage water running into their yards and the streets. They had to walk trough sewerage in their own yards and then cross the road with the water running down the streets for the past 10 months.
An article published in the WITBANK NEWS in August showed how vast the problem was. To make matters worse the recent thunderstorm caused more damage to the area after water came rushing in their yards.
Mr Sibusiso Masondo indicated that the sewerage water was now reversing into their toilet back flooding their homes. He said they have tried to open the blocked pipes only to last a few hours and after that it was back to square one.
“We cannot use our toilets in the whole section and we have taken it upon ourselves to unblock the pipes. We did not have the necessary tools to open the blocked pipes. We have tried many times to inform our councillor and the municipality with no results. Our councillor told us that the problem will be solved and they are waiting for some machines, but nothing has happened,” explained Mr Masondo.
Damage caused by the resent thunderstorm, water running down the streets of Halalnikahle Extension 3.
A pile of soil left by a municipality worker trying to fix the water problem in Halalanikahle Extension 3.
Another resident Ms Nonhlanhla Mashiane who stays in the same area in a newly built RDP house indicated that they were faced with the same problem at their outside toilet. She said her yard was flooded with the sewerage water and flowing into a shack in the yard as well.
“We have been complaining about the problem for a few months now and the only thing we get are empty promises. We have children and they are being affected by the dirty smelly water of the sewerage. Our neighbours are also complaining of the water coming from our homes flowing into the streets. We had to buy our pipes to temporarily solve the problem,” said Ms Mashiane.
Another resident Ms Nelly Mabaso is also faced with a similar problem and had to put a pipe to carry the water from her neighbour to the street. Even though her other neighbours are complaining she has no alternative. She built a strong wall separating her from her neighbour.
Sewerage water running down the street of Hlalanikahle Extension 3 after a resident put a pipe to let the water run through on the street.
Sewerage water running across several houses in Hlalanikahle in Extension 3, this has been going on for the past ten months.
In another part of Hlalanikahle it was the same situation as sewerage water was found making its way into a street but it seems the cause of the problem is the same.
Councillor Jappie Msibi acknowledged that he knows about the problem and said he had tried and failed to solve the problem. Cllr Msibi stated that the problem is not only the main pipe but there were other problems as well. He indicated that water coming from upper areas cannot carry the volume of water resulting in the water running into people’s yards.
Furniture damaged by water after the resent thunderstorm, water just came in even damaging wall fences and iron gates.
Drains which could not handle the volume of water after the rain.
Another problem was that sewerage pipe cannot carry the volume and the pipes need to be fixed. Furniture was damaged by water after the recent thunderstorm, water just came in even damaging wall fences and iron gates. The drains in the area seems small as they could not handle the volume of water after the rain. Cllr Msibi also said something needs to be done and urgently to solve the problems.
“The situation in that area is really bad; I stay in that area myself I know what I am talking about. I have reported the matter wrote letters and even took pictures. I even reported the matter to the city manager and to all the relevant departments and officials. I think what is needed are new pipes, I have had many promises for the problem to be fixed but nothing has come right,” added Cllr Msibi.
Cllr Msibi said he has even called a community meeting to address the matter which has taken more than ten months.
Cllr Msibi has even come out with suggestion to temporally help the people but his suggestions has been ignored. He has even put proposals in the IDP many times.
Cllr Msibi has been promised that a contractor has been hired by the municipality to fix the problems.
