Akasia resident’s stinky concern
Problems after a sewage leak at a home in Chantelle last month still remain.
The pungent stench of sewage is enough to put anyone off their meal and for one family in Chantelle, Akasia it was a real horror to have the foul odour around their house for weeks.
Petunia Maako, a resident in Frangipani Street for the past 24 years, said sewage started bubbling up from a drain in their yard last month.
The first time she had reported the sewage leak to the Tshwane metro was on July 8.
“I got a reference number and when I called again on July 12, I received another reference number.”
Maako said she spoke to one metro employee five times about the sewage leak and said it took nearly two weeks before anyone came to assist.
“Our ward councillor Ridge Petersen even came to my house to assist,” said Maako.
“When the metro finally came, they asked me for equipment like rakes to clean the sewage, which was now all around our house.”
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Maako said the clean-up did not lessen the stench around her home.
“My grandchildren have begged me to play outside, but I have had to refuse them as this is a major health concern.”
The concerned grandmother said she feared for her children’s health, eating and sleeping in a house where the smell of sewage is ever-present.
She said after more struggles and several calls to the metro, a clean-up crew was sent to throw disinfectant on the property, which finally gave the family some relief from the stench.
“They are not done yet, they were supposed to come back to finish the job. But it has been a week now and I don’t know if they will ever come back.”
An enquiry was sent to Tshwane metro on Thursday and Rekord is waiting on feedback.
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