Street vendors in KwaDukuza’s CBD say repeated sewage spills are crippling their businesses and creating unsafe, unhygienic conditions for customers and traders alike.

On Thursday May 7, the Courier witnessed a severe sewage spill at 17 Balcomb Street. While the mess has since been cleared, vendors say the issue is far from resolved and has become a regular occurrence.

Michael Nkwanyana, who has worked as a vendor on Balcomb Street for more than a decade, said the problem is nothing new.

“They fix it, and a few days later it clogs again. We need people to want to buy from us, but the mess chases customers away,” he said.

Nkwanyana said the situation worsens when it rains, as rainwater mixes with raw sewage, leaving behind a nauseating stench that lingers for days.

Another vendor, Nozipho Mthembu, said traders have resorted to placing sacks over the drains to prevent sewage from bubbling up into their trading spaces.

A damaged road on the corner of Balcomb and Cato Streets provides further issues.

One vendor, who sells right next to the damaged section, said: “They come and say the issue will be fixed, but they haven’t done anything up until now.”

To move more freely, vendors have placed wooden planks across the damaged area to connect the pedestrian walkway to the road, allowing safer access for both traders and customers.

The iLembe District Municipality did not respond to a request for comment.

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