Residents of a section of Kokosi complain that their health is being put in jeopardy by ongoing sewage leaks in the area.

“It is only by the grace of God that we are still able to survive here,” a resident of Chabedi Street, Lillian Mmeleni, complained to the Herald this week.

For several weeks, raw sewage has been streaming nonstop past her front door. The constant flooding has become so severe that the paving stones have begun to lift, creating a hazard for unsuspecting motorists.

“This problem has been going on for about six years. We call the municipality, and they come to fix it, but it then leaks again soon afterwards,” she laments.

The stench and mosquitoes drawn by the constant leak are also unbearable.

Some residents speculate that the serious sewage problems in this particular area caused by a shortcut taken during construction. It is claimed that the Merafong City Local Municipality connected the sewer lines from Kokosi Ext 4 directly into the older Ext 1 network, rather than installing larger pipes to handle the extra flow.

The municipality has neither confirmed nor denied these claims.

The Herald sent an enquiry regarding the leaks to the Marketing and Communications Man-ager, Temba Fezani. However, no response was received by the time of going to print.
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