This is despite the fact that the manhole was repaired in January this year after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) brought the matter to the attention of the Herald. The manhole is located next to the special school and the pipeline carries sewage from Letaba Hospital, Yingisani School, and Letaba Special School. The manhole overflows due to internal pressure caused by a blockage in the system.

The problem has been ongoing for five years. “We are worried about the well-being of residents who swim, wash their cars, and fish in the river. It has come to our attention that some learners from the school play in the sewage at times. It is not good for their health,” said Given Mlondobodzi, EFF representative in Ward 19. He said the matter was attended to by the Department of Education and local municipalities, but three months down the line the manhole has burst again.

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Concerned residents once again brought the matter to the Herald, with videos showing sewage flowing into the river. It is believed that the cause is a nonoperational pump station which is situated at the school and is supposed to pump the hospital’s wastewater to the purification plant. In March 2017 and in January 2018 the Herald covered the same issue and in 2017, the Democratic Alliance (DA) claimed that they had found human excretion, blood, toxic waste, and other dangerous medical waste at the site.

“A team comprising of the Department of Education, Public Works, Health, and the Mopani District Municipality are working on the matter. The sewage line from the hospital passes through the school and we cannot tamper with it without involving the responsible departments,” explained Mike Maringa, media liaison officer of the Department of Education. Mlondobodzi also questioned the cleanliness of the water in the Nkowankowa area. “At times the water in the taps is dirty, are we drinking sewage?” he asked.