Residents of Kokosi are raising alarm over a dangerous, open trench left by a municipal contractor near Mogijima and Mothinyane Streets. The deep sewage-filled ditch, dug to repair a major leak, has been left exposed between about eight homes—posing serious safety and health risks to the community.

According to local leaders Eddy Motaung and Ruth Mogale, the contractor was tasked with fixing a severe sewage spill affecting one of the properties. Instead of resolving the leak promptly, the contractor excavated a large portion of the sewer line and abandoned the site, leaving behind a trench nearly two metres deep.

“The backs of our yards are open and exposed. Several people have already fallen into the trench, and we fear for the lives of our children,” said resident Mary Misapitso, whose kitchen is now dangerously close to collapsing into the pit.

Other residents, including Tshegofatso Hlobelo, shared similar concerns, especially since fences were removed to make way for the digging—leaving no barriers between children and the trench. Makeshift wooden planks now serve as bridges for residents trying to access their homes.

The unbearable stench of raw sewage hangs over the neighbourhood, as the trench remains unfixed. Despite the contractor beginning work in late March, residents claim they haven’t seen any activity since Monday, June 10.

“We don’t understand why the work is taking so long, or why such a hazardous environment was created,” Motaung added.

When approached for comment, Temba Fezani, marketing and communications manager for the Merafong City Local Municipality, had not responded by the time of publication.