Thembisa residents battle sewage crisis

Residents and business owners in Kgatlamping Section, Robert Mathekga Drive, Ward 10, Thembisa, are calling on the City of Ekurhuleni to urgently address sewage blockages that they say have disrupted daily life and affected businesses and a nearby preschool.

DA PR councillor Mabekenyane Thamahane visited the area on August 19 after residents raised concerns about several leaking and blocked sewerage pipes.

Community leader Lazarus Mohi Ranyadi said he initially noticed one leaking sewer pipe and later identified three additional blocked pipes further along Robert Mathekga Drive.

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One of the affected pipes is located near Nokeng Preschool, where staff say the sewage has raised concerns about the environment in which children are cared for.

Ranyadi said he initially reported the problem to the Ward 10 councillor and was repeatedly told that officials would inspect the area. However, he said no meaningful intervention followed for approximately six weeks before he approached Thamahane.

“It’s made it so difficult for us to move around in the area. We have resorted to putting bricks along the road to walk on,” Ranyadi said.

“Children play around and sometimes fall because they don’t know any better. We have even forced them to use alternative routes when walking to school. The stench also becomes so unbearable at night.”

Following his visit, Thamahane said he contacted the City and spoke to a water and sanitation official, identified as Mr Kekana.

According to Thamahane, Kekana explained that a large pipe in the river was blocking surrounding sewerage pipes, causing waste to flow back into the system.

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Thamahane said Kekana indicated that specialised machinery was required to address the problem, but the equipment was not currently available in Thembisa and would have to be sourced elsewhere.

Thamahane said Kekana had undertaken to inspect the area on August 20 with a new contractor.
Preschool forced to change operations.

At Nokeng Preschool, the situation has already affected the facility’s operations.

Preschool employee Mandla Masilela said the blockage had been ongoing for about a month and had resulted in one classroom being taken out of use and one of the school’s toilets becoming unusable.

“The stench is so bad. When we eat and use the toilets, we breathe in this air. Surely this is not life, especially because we work with children. Everything needs to be clean,” Masilela said.

He said staff were also concerned about using a tap located near the affected pipe.

“We are even afraid to drink water from the tap near the pipe because of the germs. If the municipality had children in this school, they wouldn’t be happy. They must think about the children. This is not right,” he said.

The sewage problem is also affecting informal businesses in the area.

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Mohlophehi Kubuvu, who operates an informal business nearby, said the smell had led some customers to turn away.

“This is poverty at its finest. It’s not right that we continuously report, but nothing gets done,” Kubuvu said.

“I am merely trying to make an income with the little I have. We are not asking for a lot, just for them to fix this issue.”

Residents are now calling on the City to intervene, saying the ongoing sewage problem is affecting their ability to safely move through the area, operate businesses and provide a suitable environment for children.

The Thembisan contacted the City of Ekurhuleni for comment on the sewage blockages and the reported delays in addressing the problem.

No official response had been received by the time of publication.