Phalaborwa residents slam Muni over sewage spill
Namakgale residents endure sewage crisis, with raw sewage flooding streets and homes, posing serious health risks and sparking outrage.
LIMPOPO – Residents of Ward 7 in Namakgale have been enduring the consequences of what appears to be a burst sewer pipe or a blocked sewer for several months.
Despite numerous complaints to local authorities and the municipality, the problem remains unresolved, leaving families in unsanitary conditions and with a growing sense of frustration, particularly as the festive season approaches.
The overflow of raw sewage has led to severe health risks and created an environment conducive to pests.
Donald Sekgobela, a concerned resident, highlighted the dire situation. “The stinking smell of sewage always indicates that you have arrived in Namakgale.”
Sekgobela explained that sewage blockages have been a persistent issue, with the municipality failing to address them adequately.
“We are facing a serious problem with blocked sewage manholes in Namakgale, particularly in Ward 7. The sewage is deep and lengthy, containing worms and faeces. This is repulsive. Our township is now stinking and filled with trash. My concern is that schools are temporarily closed, and our children are playing in this contaminated water. Today, I found some children playing with a stick inside the raw sewage. It is close to our homes and poses a risk to the safety of our children and our health,” said Sekgobela.
Sekgobela said that the municipality had neglected to repair another clogged sewer for six years, which he and a team of helpers eventually managed to fix on their own.
He criticised the municipality for not appreciating their efforts and for hiring unqualified individuals for such crucial jobs.
He also pointed out the failure of ward councillors in service delivery. “Our ward councillor is not performing his duties, yet he gets paid at the end of the month. We repeatedly reported the issue to him. His defence is that it is a district issue, but he should be raising the issue with them. When we complain to ward committees, they inform us that they are not the municipality. We do not know where to submit our issues.”
Another resident mentioned that they have been experiencing sewage issues since 2019. Although the municipal team has attempted to unblock it, the problem recurs every two months.
Over the past year, no efforts have been made to address the issue, even though it was reported.
The resident attributed the problem to a lack of maintenance. “The last time they visited, they extended the sewer manhole’s structure, but that did not fix the issue. The municipality is unbothered. Additionally, our ward councillor’s house is nearby, but he is doing nothing about it,” he said.
The resident also said that the spillage attracts mosquitoes.
Attempts for comment by Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality spokesperson Jonas Mahesu were unsuccessful. Mahesu did not respond to requests.
