A Greenhills family is left at risk of contracting bacterial diseases after their yard was flooded with sewerage spilled from a blocked manhole outside their property.

Monique Viljoen said that her family has not only had to endure the bad odour from the spillage for a week – they were left helpless while the municipality was on strike.

“This manhole has been blocked since 16 August. After reporting the matter, we were told that action would be taken but things took a turn for the worse on Tuesday last week, shortly after we noticed that the manhole was overflowing and immediately reported the matter.”

Viljoen said that due to last week’s strike, no one has come out to help. She said the smell is overpowering and the fact that they are situated at the bottom of a hill makes it even worse.

“Everything is flowing towards our house.”

Viljoen said despite reporting the matter several times, action is yet to be taken.

“I have a four-old son who contacted a bacterial infection a while ago, and I am scared that it might happen again,” Viljoen added.

She also said the situation left walls and pavements damaged as the sewage seeps under them.

“The only answer we get is that the municipality’s employees are on strike, leaving us to live in these conditions,” Viljoen added.