For over a decade, residents of 6108 Mogotsi Street in Ikageng have been battling a recurring sewerage problem that has left their homes flooded with raw waste. Alinah Ramatlholoa, a long-suffering homeowner, has raised concerns that the issue is not only damaging her property but also posing a serious health risk to her family. According to Ramatlholoa, the situation began more than ten years ago but has progressively worsened.

Despite numerous complaints and multiple interventions by the JB Marks Local Municipality, the issue remains unresolved. “When it first started, it wasn’t as bad as it is now. But over time, the sewage floods in my yard have become a daily nightmare. The worst part is, it’s not even waste from my house. It comes from elsewhere, and I am left to clean up the mess,” she said, visibly frustrated. The problem stems from what Ramatlholoa describes as faulty municipal connections. She believes that the municipal sewer system, including the stormwater pipes, is improperly connected, which causes waste to overflow into her yard, particularly during the rainy season. This overflow not only affects Ramatlholoa but also her neighbour at 6107 Mogotsi Street. “I’ve been dealing with this for years.

The municipality only comes out to unblock the pipes when the problem occurs, but they don’t address the root cause. It’s like they are only managing the symptoms, not solving the issue,” Ramatlholoa continued. She explained that the municipal team often checks the main hole near the local municipality buildings and performs temporary fixes. However, this has proven ineffective, as the blockages return repeatedly. “The pipes are not the problem in my yard; the issue is how they’ve been connected. The stormwater pipes are linked with the sewerage pipes, and when it rains, it causes a backup of waste into my home,” Ramatlholoa said.

The situation is particularly distressing for her family, as the waste spills close to their kitchen, resulting in unbearable odours that contaminate the living space. “This is a health hazard for us. I have young children, and we have to live in this environment,” she added, visibly concerned. The problem is compounded by the fact that the ongoing sewerage issues have rendered Ramatlholoa unable to improve her property. “I can’t even pave my yard because of the flooding. My yard is uninhabitable, and it’s not even caused by me—it’s caused by faulty municipal connections,” she explained. Ramatlholoa has raised her concerns with the municipality on several occasions, including during the tenure of former councillor Japhta Monaisa, who is reportedly aware of the problem.

In addition, the mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality visited Ramatlholoa’s property personally, seeing the mess caused by the overflowing waste. Yet, despite these interventions, the problem persists. While Ramatlholoa and her neighbour continue to endure the health and safety risks posed by the ongoing sewerage issues, their calls for a permanent solution have gone largely unanswered. Ramatlholoa expressed her deep disappointment in the municipality, saying, “I pay so much for municipal services, but I am being ignored. This is not a small problem, and it is affecting our quality of life.” Attempts by Herald reporters to reach the JB Marks Local Municipality for comment on the matter were unsuccessful. The municipality did not respond to any media inquiries, nor did they offer a statement regarding the ongoing issue or potential solutions.