Municipal employees complain about snakes at eMbalenhle sewage plant

Govan Mbeki Municipality employees who are working at the sewage plant at eMbalenhle fear for their lives because of snakes said to be moving around in their workplace.

They are saying it is hard to work at the plant because they see different snakes every day and they cannot differentiate between venomous and non-venomous snakes.

The Democratic Alliance councillor, Ms Anita Mkhwebane, said she visited the plant and saw what employees are complaining about.

“You cannot force employees to work in an unsafe environment, no one cuts the grass and the area itself is not maintained.

“What else is to be expected in such an area? It is a conducive environment for wild animals because of the availability of their food source,” said Ms Mkhwebane.

Community members have also been complaining about the sewage plant, claiming it is not being maintained and the tall grass. Criminals are allegedly hiding in the grass waiting to pounce on pedestrians.

“We know that people are not supposed to kill snakes, but municipal employees do it because they lack knowledge about snakes which they were supposed to get from their employer.

“If the municipality is failing to maintain its properties, what should we say about service delivery to the community?” asked Ms Mkhwebane.

It is alleged that an employee fainted and was rushed to the hospital for shock after seeing a snake.

According to the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s communications department the issue of the grass will be attended to and said in the meantime, their team only cut where they work, nearer to the screw pumps, primary settling tanks, clarifier and pumping house.

“We will be rolling out our grass cutting programme in all regions in the coming few days.”

The GMM communications department refuted the issue of an employee being rushed to hospital because of shock after seeing a snake.and said every employee who works at any treatment plant knows exactly the risks involved, including dangerous animals at the plant.

In a statement, the municipality said that the employees did not complain about dangerous animals at the plant, but during their daily safety meeting, they did raise concerns about the tall grass.