Blocked storm water drain hazard in Ikageng

Onthatile Mokolometsa, a resident of Mbuyiselo Makhubo Street in Ikageng, has a blocked storm water drain in front of her property, causing frustration and worry for about 24 years.

“In December 2023, I started experiencing a completely blocked storm water drain. “It flooded houses previously, but it is much worse now.” Onthatile says that besides the stench and distasteful sight of the blocked drain, it is also a safety hazard. “If someone needs to get to the hospital, we have to wait about two hours for the water to go down before we can open the gate.”

“We, as the residents of Mbuyiselo Makhubo Street, have reported the problem numerous times, but the municipality has done nothing to solve it. “In December, I made several calls to report the drain. In January, I contacted numerous municipal officials directly to address the problem. They told me they could only use a specific vehicle to resolve the matter and had sent someone to school to learn how to operate it.”

Onthatile explains that she requested a temporary solution to remove the smell, but nobody seemed to care. “I have lost trust in everyone,” a frustrated Onthatile exclaims. Onthatile adds that J.B. Marks Local Municipality visited the blocked storm water drain on Friday, 26 April, to try and pump the water out of it, but the problem persists.

“We can’t move in or out of the yard if there’s stagnant water, and it takes hours to subside. “If someone is sick or there is an emergency, they could die in the house.” Onthatile adds that water gushes into the house during heavy rains, causing further hazards and damage. “I am hopeless, miserable and worried about my family’s health from inhaling this (the stench) daily,” Onthatile concluded. The Herald approached the municipality for comment, but it did not respond in time for print.