Moreleta Park resident fed up as sewage floods yard for almost two weeks
A Wekker Street homeowner says she's been living in unbearable conditions after repeated pleas to Tshwane to fix an overflowing manhole went unanswered.
A resident of Wekker Street in Moreleta Park is at her wits’ end after Tshwane failed to unblock and repair an overflowing manhole that has been spilling raw sewage for two weeks.
Elzabe Booysen said the manhole has been overflowing since April 24, flooding her yard with raw sewage, damaging her garden, and causing severe discomfort for her and her family.
Booysen said she is deeply frustrated and emotionally drained after dealing with an overflowing manhole on her property for over two weeks with no resolution from Tshwane.
She said, despite logging more than 17 complaints with the city and contacting numerous officials, the issue remains unresolved.
“I first logged a complaint when the sewage spillages began, then three days later, it was not resolved, and I had to do follow-ups. Despite numerous follow-up calls and emails, no help, I had to deal with rude customer care assistants.”
Booysen said the smell is unbearable.
“There’s raw spillages, condoms, diapers and all sorts of filth flooding my yard. I live at the bottom of a hill, so everything from the above sewage system runs straight down into my home,” she said.
“The smell is awful, and we can’t even open our windows anymore.”
Booysens added that to her shock, some municipal employees blamed her for the delay in repairs, claiming that “reporting it too many times” was the reason the issue had not been fixed.
“I was told I’m the reason it hasn’t been fixed simply because I followed up more than once. How is that fair?” she asked.
Booysens said she has lost hope in the city’ ability to deliver services, and she is desperate for help.
“We tried cleaning some stuff in our yard, but we really need the city to prioritise us and repair and unblock the manhole.”
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the sewer blockage in Wekker Street, Moreleta Park, was resolved on April 30 and officially closed on their system on May 1.
According to Mashigo, a technician was dispatched to the site and attended to the reported spillage.
“The sewer issue was addressed and cleared on April 30, according to our query records. However, our sanitation team will conduct a follow-up inspection to verify the current status and determine if further cleaning is required.”
Mashigo encouraged residents to follow up on unresolved complaints using their issued reference numbers.
“It is not true that residents should avoid following up. In fact, we urge them to do so if their complaints remain unresolved,” Mashigo explained.
He acknowledged the severity of sewage spillages.
“We understand that sewer spillages pose serious health risks. The city conducts regular maintenance on sewer lines and prioritises urgent blockages to minimise environmental pollution and protect public health,” he said.
He urged residents to stop disposing of foreign objects in the municipal sewer line as they cause blockages and spills.
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