No, it’s not living next door to Alice. It’s anybody’s worst nightmare! Living next to a sewage dam.
One of the worst sewage spills ever seen in Middelburg has been left unrepaired by the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality for two weeks.
A thick stream of sewage is flowing into an open stand at the Columbus flats, located on the corner of Vos and Hoog streets.
Councillor Deon van der Merwe said the sewage is running onto the properties at the apartment complex.
“They say they will come out, but nothing happens. I have probably reported it 20 times, yet they do nothing about it.”

Multiple municipal enquiries unanswered

As with many other enquiries, the municipality has not responded to questions about the spill.
Answers regarding the Medina Abattoir have been pending since December last year.

Other enquiries that remain unanswered include:

• Pollution originating in Rockdale, passing Hlalamnandi, Nasaret, and Eastdene.
• The Kees Taljaard Stadium remains dirty and dilapidated, with holes that were dug and simply left. When will the stadium be cleaned and the piles of soil cleared away?
• The new Rondebosch cemetery is located 15km out of town, with cattle grazing among the graves. Is this now the only option for residents to be buried?
• On the new access route from the Bethal road at Vaalbank, a massive hole has existed for six months following work on a water pipe. Half of the tarred road is impassable. According to Councillor Deon van der Merwe, the hole was dug by a contractor who has disappeared; however, according to Lerato, the municipality is waiting to see if the pipe leaks again. Please clarify this matter.

Law enforcement issues warnings regarding:

• No illegal car washes.
• No illegal scrap yards.
• No illegal public drinking.
• Is the car wash on Asalia Street, where up to six car washers operate, legal?
• Are the businesses operating on the sidewalk near the station legal?
• Another business was fined R17 000, yet these businesses also operate on the sidewalk. Why?

After the Observer reported on the lack of feedback in its printed edition, a question was raised during a council meeting suggesting that the communications department was not doing its job.
A lengthy response was prepared for councillors.
In the meantime, the problem, such as the sewage spillage, simply continues.