Month long raw sewage spill
Raw, untreated sewage has flowed openly along Genezzano Road at the entrance of Seatides and into a stormwater drain since November 21, according to Westbrook resident Pradeep Maharaj.
The murder of an eThekwini official last month may be the reason the sewage spill in Seatides is being largely ignored by the metro.
According to a source at eThekwini metro, the sanitation portfolio responsible for repairing the problem belonged to the engineer who was shot dead at the Waste Water Management office in Ottawa, north of Durban on November 20, one day before the sewage spill was first reported.
Raw, untreated sewage has flowed openly along Genezzano Road at the entrance of Seatides and into a stormwater drain since November 21, according to Westbrook resident Pradeep Maharaj.
The Thuthukani informal settlement at the Seatides village north entrance occupies a vast area of land on a steep slope opposite the M4 freeway and Beach Bums restaurant.
According to Democratic Alliance Ward 58 councillor Geoff Pullan, the problem stems from a land use problem further up the slope.
“Informal settlers dig into the slope to erect their structures and undermine the soil. This flows downhill during heavy rains and blocks up the sewerage lines, causing them to spill from the manhole covers on the road,” said Pullan.
According to Maharaj the problem was a regular occurrence but this is the first time the eThekwini water and sanitation departments have taken so long to resolve the problem.
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“Previously the technicians were sent out to unblock the sewage the next day and the problem was resolved. This time it has been weeks and still with no response from eThekwini water.”
Pullan reiterated that more drastic methods of repair need to take place apart from merely clearing the blockage, and that land management techniques need to be put in place to prevent further mudslides.
“Cleaning out the sand is just a palliative,” said Pullan.
eThekwini Metro spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said that no one had been appointed to fill the vacancy left by the deceased municipal employee.
“We have attended to the backlog on several occasions but the problem persists as soon as we turn our backs,” said Mayisela.
“The disposal of alien objects into the system worsens the blockage, and as a result we are currently underway with an educational campaign. The matter has been escalated.”
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