Fed up with sewage problems

Madam – Citizens of Newcastle are in the s**t and being fed s**t.

For the past year numerous complaints were lodged via the press also via complaints to the municipality regarding sewage spillages damaging the environment, threatening the underground water resources and threatening the livelihoods of the citizens in this town.

Numerous excuses were presented, namely old infrastructure, this time of the year roots causing problems, or foreign articles in the system. Now the latest R100-million was spent on sewer infrastructure; question was, if sewage is leaking and spilling all over, it would be interesting to know where the sewer upgrades were done in Newcastle.

Surprisingly, all these complaints are now ongoing for almost a year, however it was that R100-million was spent. What is actually the truth here? Why all these excuses?

The next move might be a political party trying to discredit the municipality and the politicians, however, sad as it may sound, I am apolitical and do not support any political parties nor am I interested in the doings of a political organisation. My current obligations are with the citizens of this town and the s**t smell hanging in the air.

I would like to know who or what is going to be the next excuse for the incapability to rectify the current bizarre situation. Next question is where the money was spent, do we have the capability and resources to rectify this mess, is the situation being treated seriously, or is it a matter of the citizens can wait until we have time to attend and it’s not that serious.

The current situation reminds me of an old supermarket not properly stocked and the boss selling whatever leftovers he has in the shop. (Referring to the citizens who have to absorb all this **** in the old Municipal Supermarket and expected to believe it.)

Alternatively, is all the money being spent on the new municipal mall that’s being built in town? Just a question? Please, we don’t live in the bush, nor do we like doing shopping in a spaza shop; we are paying good money and expect a good product, failing which, we then have to pay what we are being offered.

This leaves a huge question mark regarding the current electricity accounts we are receiving; how legitimate are the claims put forward for the increases, if other services appear to be in shambles and all sorts of excuses being made?

Fed up with the s..t

Response from Mayor, Afzul Rehman:

The money was spent on upgrading the sewer plant as growth of the town was placing strain on it. Residents will remember that Aviary Hill used to have human faeces floating in the street.

The pipes that are bursting is a different issue, caused by old infrastructure and tree roots. If you have a burst pipe in your area contact the municipality so they can rectify immediately, or your ward cllr.