Residents in Mayibuye endure stench from blocked manholes
Nthabiseng Mohokare said she was hospitalised for four days at the Tembisa Hospital for a stomachache, suspected to be due to the sewer water.
Residents of Mayibuye, particularly those living along Bulelwa Makomane and Leeba streets, have been forced to endure a persistent and overpowering stench caused by two blocked manholes, one of which has remained unresolved since November last year.
Despite multiple site visits, Johannesburg Water (JW) has failed to fix the issue, even sending residents a misleading ‘complete status’ update.
Nthabiseng Mohokare and Tinyiko Sibeko spoke out about the unbearable conditions they face daily.
Read more: Blocked Joburg Water manholes pose health hazard in Mayibuye
Mohokare expressed deep frustration, saying the ongoing manhole problems have taken a toll on the health of both adults and children in the area. She noted that her sister’s two young sons, aged nine months and one year, have been suffering from persistent stomach issues.
“I was hospitalised at Tembisa Hospital from September 23 to 26 after experiencing a runny nose and stomach ache. When we call Johannesburg Water for help, all we get are reference numbers, which never lead to a solution. We even went to the councillor’s office to escalate the issue, but we never found her there,” said Mohokare.
During a site visit by the Midrand Reporter on October 10, a man-made furrow was seen inside Mohokare’s sister’s house, created to redirect sewer water out into Bulelwa Makomane Street. The water flowing through it was contaminated with human waste, plastic wrappers, and other debris.
Sibeko shared that the manhole in front of his house had been blocked since November 2024. Despite reporting the issue to JW about 15 times, no lasting solution has been provided.
In desperation, community members have pooled money, up to R800 at a time, to hire a private plumber.
Also read: Potholes still cause problems on President Park roads
“Living with this stench has been a nightmare. Even after paying the plumber, the fix only lasts two to three hours before the problem starts all over again.
JW officials also come with their trucks and unblock it, but as soon as they leave, it clogs up again,” Sibeko added.
Johannesburg Water was contacted on October 9 and acknowledged the media query on October 10.
[Awaiting JW comment]
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