Following media and community reports and complaints regarding the Sizwe Secondary School sewage problem, Olivia Ndlovu, an environmental health inspector visited the school on July 25.

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An inspection and investigation were conducted.

“The purpose of the visit to the school was to investigate the complaint received on July 22 with regards to the constant overflowing of sewage and unsatisfactory conditions on the premises,” said Zweli Dlamini, CoE spokesperson.

The complaint was sent by GCN, enquiring about the situation at the school after speaking to community members.

They reported that the Elandsfontein informal settlement infrastructure was built on top of the sewage pipes.

Joseph Stock, a concerned citizen said the problem started three years ago and it has since gotten worse.

Dlamini replying to a media inquiry said there is a problem with the electricity supply to the Hattingh Street sewer pump station due to illegal connections to the mini substation supplying the pump station.

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He also said the city will resolve this by laying a new cable that is not susceptible to illegal connections.

“The sewer is building up in the sewer reticulation due to the electricity trips caused by overloading of the electrical reticulation,” he said.

Health inspector findings:

“There was sewage flowing on the school premises behind the mobile classrooms. Part of the school ground was covered in old wet sewage and the grass sections were all soaked in the excess sewage water,” said Dlamini.

“During the investigation, it was not possible to identify the source of the sewage flow/blockage. The condition requires urgent rectification as this is a possible health hazard to the learners, the educators and all people that are on the school premises,” he said.

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“The school principal is aware of the problem and he had already made contact with Samson Modimeli from the Department of Water and Sanitation for assistance.

“The principal was advised to do a follow-up with the department directly to expedite the process,” said Dlamini.

“The complaint was also referred to the same department via email on July 25 for their urgent assistance.

“The premises will be monitored regularly to resolve the problem,” said Dlamini.