Rhodesfield businesses and residents face ongoing sewage crisis
The entrance to nearby Premier Hotel and a local park have been impacted as overflowing drains pollute Gladiator Street.
Residents and businesses in Gladiator Street, Rhodesfield, are calling on the City of Ekurhuleni to urgently address a sewage problem affecting the area since Thursday, September 3.
Residents say they have repeatedly reported the issue but have received no feedback or resolution.
On Wednesday, September 9, Kempton Express, together with Ward 17 councillor Simon Lapping, met with affected residents and business owners in Gladiator Street to hear their concerns.
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According to residents, the problem has been ongoing for several years and becomes particularly severe after rainfall, when drains overflow and sewage runs into the surrounding streets.
“This has been ongoing for about five years, on and off,” said Excel Cargo Services owner Jerry Govender.
“Every time it rains, these drains overflow, and it becomes a sewage problem for days.
“We need Ekurhuleni to find out what the problem is and solve it instead of just unblocking the drains,” said Govender.
“As the community, we are upset. We have to drive through the poo, and we have to smell this air every day. It is disgusting, especially for our international travellers.”
Infrastructure issues impact surrounding streets
The sewage has reportedly spread beyond Gladiator Street, affecting parts of Kingfisher Street, Mosquito Street and continuing towards Harvard Street.
The nearby Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo, situated on Gladiator Street, has also been affected, with sewage reportedly making its way towards the hotel pproperty entrance.
A public park on Gladiator Street has also become difficult to access, with residents saying children have to cross or jump over the sewage to reach the facility.
Lapping said he had reported the problem several times since last week but that no action had been taken to resolve it.
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“I have been reporting this since last week Thursday and I have reported this about five times and nothing is done about this issue,” said Lapping.
“People cannot live in these conditions. Children are having a hard time accessing the park and the Premier Hotel is also affected by this,” said Lapping.
“The City of Ekurhuleni needs to do something about this sewage issue. They need to get it fixed.”
Kempton Express sent a request for comment to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini regarding the sewage problem in Gladiator Street and surrounding affected streets.
The newspaper will update the story should the City provide a response.
