Quick response by the Tshwane metro has cleared a sewerage blockage in the west of Pretoria in less than 24 hours.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro was not aware of the blockage until Wednesday afternoon.
“However, upon receiving a media enquiry from Rekord, the metro maintenance team was immediately dispatched,” he said.
“The team was there to investigate and effect the necessary remedial action.”
He said the blockage was located about a kilometre downstream from the corner of Transoranje Road and Vom Hagen Street.
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“The blockage was caused by sand and cloths,” he said.
“They have been removed and the blockage was cleared.”
However, according to resident Bertie Hitchinson the blockage was reported to the metro at the beginning of July.
“I discovered the blockage after attending to an accident scene at the beginning of the month,” he said.
Hitchinson also works for a towing company.
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“The issue was then reported to the metro,” he said.
Some interested parties also raised their concern over the impact that the blockage and others in the area had on the environment.
“This blockage was located on a field where a stream runs through,” said Community Reaction Unit member Joey Botes.
“How is this in any way good for the environment? Surely the sewage running very close to the stream affects it negatively.
“Not to mention the smell – luckily there are no residents living close to the area.”
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Hitchinson said there were two other such blockages in the area.
“There is one close to the Daspoort tunnel and a second in WF Nkomo Street,” he said.
Acting ward councillor pastor James Ndlovu said he would follow up with the metro about the other blockages in the area.
“I am very positive that these issues would be resolved soon,” he said.
“The working relationship between myself and the regional executive head of the area is very good and when issues are reported, they get resolved soon.”
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