Nellmapius residents have raised a stink over the blocked sewerage system that has been a problem for more than two years.
Complaints to the Tshwane metro have fallen on deaf ears and some residents have had to abandon their homes as houses flooded each time a toilet was flushed, despite the matter being reported two years ago.
One of the residents, Pat Zulu of Kufutsane Street, in extension 24, said all the toilets in his street were blocked.
“It all started when a contractor was busy working in our street. The sewerage got blocked and all the toilets started flooding the houses.”
Residents said they had to ask to use toilets of people in neighbouring streets because every time they tried to use theirs, “the whole house and yard would be flooded with waste”.
“We conducted our own investigation and found that a badly positioned street light pole was causing the blockage.”
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Zulu said the matter was reported to local councillor Joel Masilela and to the municipal offices in 2017,” he said.
“Masilela came and took photos and promised to send officials to come and fix the blocked sewerage.
“Until today, we are still waiting for the people to come. We have been given different reference numbers to no avail.
“We are concerned about our health. Some residents have dug a make-shift pit latrine to use in the meantime,” said Zulu.
“Our health is at risk. We are worried that we and our children will get sick from inhaling the bad smell from the blocked sewer.”
Early last year, city officials visited the affected street and also took photos, promising to effect repairs as soon as possible, but no one came, Zulu said.
Other residents have decided to move out and stay away from their houses during the day, only to return at night.
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“Some have to walk long distances to do their business.
“When we voted we were promised better service delivery but today the people we voted for are failing us and yet every month we have to pay for the services,” said angry residents who pleaded with the government to intervene “because we can’t live like this anymore”.
Residents said if they had resources to repair the blocked sewerage themselves, they could have done so “a long time ago”.
Rekord was yet to receive comment from the Tshwane metro and the local councillor.
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