Residents of Soshanguve TT are calling for urgent intervention after a persistent sewer blockage affected several homes in the area.

The blockage has affected properties on stands 1370 to 1382 in Soshanguve TT, prompting multiple complaints from residents who say the situation has caused unpleasant living conditions and raised health concerns.

According to the metro’s spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the municipality is aware of the sewer blockage reported at 1373 Soshanguve-TT.

The Tshwane metro confirmed that the problem is linked to sand infiltration and the dumping of foreign objects into the sewer system.

Mashigo clarified that the reference numbers initially cited in the enquiry were unrelated to the sewer problem.

“The two reference numbers cited are for water leaks in Pretoria North and Laudium, respectively.

“However, the Wastewater Collection Sub-Section is aware of the service request for a sewer blockage at 1373 Soshanguve TT,” said Mashigo.

He added that the scale of the blockage had caused delays in resolving the issue.

“With reference to the service request, there have been delays in resolving it due to the extent of the blockage.

“The collector line affecting parts of Soshanguve TT is blocked all the way to Soshanguve Ext 2 on account of the infiltration of sand into the sewer line,” he explained.

Mashigo confirmed that municipal teams began work to address the problem shortly after the complaint was logged.

“Work to resolve the blockages in Soshanguve TT started on February 27. He said it was anticipated that the team would clear the blockage by the end of the business day on March 6.

He said municipal technical teams have already conducted site inspections in the affected area.

According to Mashigo, the work is currently being carried out further downstream in Soshanguve Ext 2, where clearing the blockage is necessary before the sewer line in Soshanguve TT can function properly.

“The technical team has conducted site inspections and work has been underway further downstream of the blockage in Soshanguve Ext 2, with priority given to Itumeleng Madiba Primary School.

“To clear the blockages in Soshanguve TT, the blockages in Ext 2 need to be cleared first,” he said.

Mashigo also explained that the blockage was caused not only by sand entering the sewer system but also by inappropriate waste disposal.

“The blockage is linked to the infiltration of sand into the collector line, and historically, there is a tendency to dispose of foreign objects such as clothes into the system in the area,” he said.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, the metro plans to implement several maintenance measures.

“Low-lying manholes will be raised to curb the infiltration of sand, and dilapidated benching near Soshanguve TT Park will be prioritised for repairs to limit the recurrence of blockages in the area,” added Mashigo.

Despite the ongoing work, residents said they want faster intervention from the metro.

Precious Mokobodi, who lives near the affected stands, said the smell and overflow have made life difficult for families.

Mokobodi said the community expects the metro to act swiftly to restore normal sanitation services.

“We understand that the blockage is big, but the metro must act quickly. Sewage problems affect people’s health and dignity, so we need a permanent solution,” she said.

Residents are now urging the municipality to resolve the blockage as soon as possible and ensure that preventative maintenance is implemented to avoid similar disruptions in the future.

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