WATCH: Sanitation issue across town: Residents approach Green Scorpions
Out of the 17 water pump stations in Krugersdorp 13 have been found to be out of order.
Residents of Mogale City are calling for the environmental agency, The Green Scorpions, to get involved in resolving an ongoing sewage crisis that has been wreaking havoc in the municipality for five years.
According to Mogale City councillor Amy Steyn, Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) has 17 sewage pump stations of which 13 of those are in poor condition.
• Also read: Broken pump station leaves community disgusted, angry
Residents have expressed their concerns about several pump stations in areas such as Muldersdrift, Kenmare, and Rietfontein Village, where sewage spills pollute the environment, clog residents’ toilets, and leave their neighbourhoods in disarray. The gardens of these residential areas have been damaged due to the poor working conditions of the pump stations and the roads are filled with potholes which leave drivers in areas near Pinehaven Country Estate at high risk of accidents.
We have been sending emails and video footage to the municipality but we never get a response. It’s getting out of hand now,” said Dylan Coetzer, a Pinehaven resident who has been complaining since last December.
Residents of Kenmare such as Chene Kruger have also shared how they have had water troubles as a result of the pump station not working.
“Since March we have experienced water problems yet the municipality doesn’t seem to care. There are days when we will have no water for hours,” she said.
On Friday May 19, there were complaints by residents in Kenmare that there was a water shortage in the early hours of the morning. A water tanker was arranged by the ward councillor Jaco Holtzhauzen to ensure that residents have water while the municipality tries to resolve the pump station issue.
“A seal broke at the pump station due to too much pressure and we are still trying to resolve the matter,” Holtzhauzen confirmed.
Another area where residents have been left frustrated is Rietfontein Village. The sewage in the area has created an unbearable stench, what is even worse is the homes of the people who live near the pump station which have been polluted, leaving them without water and their toilets blocked.
• Also read: Sewage and waste problem in the Krugersdorp West canal
Neo Goitsilwe who lives in the area said municipal workers are rarely seen in the area when there is a problem.
‘We can’t be paying such high tariffs yet no one shows up when we have problems,” Goitsilwe said.
Residents in Mogale City hope that having consulted with The Green Scorpions will bring some solution.
“As residents, we hope that it will put pressure on the municipality to act,” said Tebogo Masipi.
After months of trying, residents are now left to take other steps.
