Richman Mdakane has had just about enough of the foul smelling drain outside his home in Ninth Avenue, Forderville.
The many years of having patience and hope have run out for Mr Mdakane.

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The dreadful pungent smell of faeces and muck will leave you nauseous. This stink, which hangs heavily in the air, is one that residents have had to live with for a long time.

“My entire yard smells bad; even though it is summer I cannot open any doors or windows. I must live like a prisoner in my own home,” said Mr Mdakane with frustration.

He has tried just about everything to get help from the relevant people; from numerous talks with the Ward Councillor, visits to the local uThukela office as well as countless calls to the municipality.

It seems as if all this has gone in vain and fallen on deaf ears. This left Mr Mdakane with no other option but to try and resolve the problem by himself.

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Armed with a spade and a long pipe, Mr Mdakane began digging up a trench in an attempt to relieve the blocked drain.

Concerned about his family’s health, he began nudging the pipe down the drain to shove the waste blocking it further down to flow down the trench. This temporary solution will only be complete once part of the road is dug up to access the underground pipe.

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“This is not even my job but I followed the correct channels and still got no help. I am fed up now. Everyone comes to look but no one repairs it. Every time it rains the entire road is flooded, and that means each time I make a trip to town I have to wash my vehicle,” said Mr Mdakane with rage.

The Uthukela District Municipality office has been notified of the family’s concerns.