Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala has responded to the blocked manhole in Mayibuye, after an article ran saying it had been blocked for almost a month.

Shabalala said: “According to our records the sewerage blockage was reported on September 26, and a team was deployed and resolved the blockage on the same day. The reference number led the team to Bulelwa Makomane Street.”

Read more: Residents in Mayibuye endure stench from blocked manholes

However, the paper visited the area on October 10 and was met with a strong stench emanating from the, still, blocked manhole.

On the day, we met with Nthabiseng Mohokare, Sister of the owner of the house where the manhole is situated. She told us that she was hospitalised at Thembisa Hospital for a stomach ache from September 23 to 26. She said her sister’s children were also sick, with runny tummies.

Also read: Ward 110 councillor Angie Mphaho attributes manhole blockages in Mayibuye to increasing population

There is a furrow, dug by members of the community, inside Mohokare’s sister’s house, which redirects the sewer water from the manhole to Bulelwa Makomane StreetThe water flowing through is contaminated with human waste, plastic wrappers, and other foreign objects.

Ward 110 councillor Angie Mphaho told this publication that constant manhole blockages in Mayibuye were because of the population in the township.

She also said she believes informal dwellings have been built on the Johannesburg Water manhole in the township, which also puts strain on the infrastructure.

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