THE eThekwini Municipality said it will temporarily close Prince Mhlangana Road from Thursday until Friday afternoon to remove damaged sewerage pipes in preparation for repairs.

The recent KZN flood, which wreaked havoc, saw several pump stations as well as sewerage pipelines damaged.

Since the floods, on a daily basis, raw sewage has continued to flow from a damaged section of above-ground sewerage pipes on Prince Mhlangana Road into a tributary feeding into the Umgeni River, leaving residents and conservationists raising the alarm over the health hazard.

Related article: Concern over sewage leaks into Umgeni River

While eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, did not explain how long repair work would take, he said the road will be closed from Thursday, May 19, from 06:30 to Friday, May 20, until 15:00.

“Businesses, motorists and taxi operators in the area are requested to use alternative routes/deviations. Those approaching from Queen Nandi Drive can use Effingham Road, turn left into Avoca Road and rejoin Prince Mhlangana Road.

“Those approaching from Chris Hani Road can turn left at Avoca Road, turn right into Effingham Road and rejoin Umhlangane Road. The City apologises for any inconvenience caused,” he said.

Last week, Janet Simpkins, conservationist and founder of the non-profit organisation (NPO), Adopt-a-River, said she was confused about the lack of action.

“I’ve been informed this leak has been ongoing for almost a month, and I’m quite baffled as to why there are no interim or short-term solutions being used to contain the flow of raw sewage. We know some of the long-term fixes and repairs of wastewater infrastructure around the city will take longer due to the nature of the damage, however, this cannot be allowed to continue,” she said.