The stench of neglect has hung over Newlands for years — and for residents living near Laerskool Esperanza, it’s become unbearable. Since 2009, the community has been plagued by persistent sewage leaks that continue to bubble up across the area, leaving homes, streets, and the school surroundings in disarray.

Read more: UPDATE: Sewage overflow far more complex at Laerskool Esparanza Primary

What was once a local concern has now become a long-running crisis. Community members say they have repeatedly reported the issue to Joburg Water, yet nothing has been done to permanently fix the problem.

Dawid van der Merwe, a long-time resident and former Community Liaison Officer, has been involved in the matter since it first began. “The sewage leaks are not getting fixed and are popping up all over, especially near Esperanza School,” Van der Merwe said. “It’s been the same story since 2009, and nothing has changed. The situation has only become worse.”

Also read: Ongoing sewage crisis puts Laerskool Esparanza Primary at risk

Residents describe the service delivery from Joburg Water as ‘absolutely non-existent’. Van der Merwe echoed this frustration, saying there’s been no meaningful intervention. “There is absolutely no service delivery from Joburg Water,” he said. “They don’t seem to have the qualified people to resolve this, and that’s the most frustrating part.”

The publication followed up with JW regarding an update on the sewage crisis, to which they simply replied that they still need to appoint a contractor.

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