A Toekomsrus family has been stuck with a blocked sewer for six months and their pleas to get it fixed remain unanswered.
The family is living under the constant fear of catching diseases and not enjoying the comfort of their home as the pungent stink is unbearable.
“We have been reporting this problem to the municipality ever since it started in December last year,” said Boitumelo Hopton.
Hopton said he also fears for the health of his younger siblings, who may be exposed to the bacteria from the drain.
“I constantly have to watch over them to prevent them from coming into contact with the grey, dirty water when they play,” he said.
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Hopton said the other issue is that his house is located near a graveyard, and when the sewage runs down the street, it makes members of the community angry.
“They automatically think we are responsible for this mess. I said to them I have reported the matter several times and the inspectors from the municipality who were here, investigated the blockage, to see where the problem lies. They have not said anything about what cause of the the problem might be.
“The last time I went to the municipality to report this was on 21 May. A woman said that the municipal workers would not help as they were scared of the protests in Mohlakeng, even though I said I live in Toekomsrus.
Hopton said from time to time, he uses a bucket to dispose of the water, when the drain overflows.
“The thing that is more saddening is that my mother has already fallen sick because of this. At one stage, the drain was overflowing, and unfortunately I was not around to dispose of the water.”
Hopton said his mother tried to do the job instead, but ended up injuring her shoulder when she slipped and fell.
“Honestly, I believe that the municipality has to act quickly on matters like this. They’re quick to switch off the lights when people fall behind paying their municipal taxes and rates, but the drains get no attention,” Hopton added.
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