Tshwane metro technicians have deployed specialised equipment to clear a sewage blockage in Soshanguve Block XX.

Resident Innocent Sithole said the problem began in mid-September but initially did not appear serious until the sewage started overflowing onto the street.

He formally reported the matter to the municipality on October 2 and said he repeatedly followed up with officials without receiving a lasting solution.

“The overflowing sewage has affected my household and my neighbours to an extent that we can’t stay outside.

“We try to keep the kids in the house, but kids are kids. They want to see one another as they are not prisoners,” said Sithole.

He said the foul smell had made it difficult for residents to eat in peace and expressed concern about the impact on their health.

According to Sithole, residents had frequently experienced flu-like symptoms and incurred medical expenses while continuing to pay municipal rates.

He said he began following up on the complaint on October 5, with repeated telephone calls to the municipality yielding what he described as ’empty promises and endless excuses’.

Sithole also visited the municipal offices in Rosslyn, where he was reportedly informed that the sewage department was based in Soshanguve.

“As a loyal resident who chooses to abide by the municipal orders, I never missed even one payment. I even went to an extent of paying this month,” he said.

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He called on the municipality to take the neighbourhood seriously and improve service delivery, particularly as residents prepare to vote.

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that two service requests had been received through the municipality’s customer care portal.

Mashigo said a technical team had inspected the site and attempted to clear the blockage downstream using manual rodding, but the effort was unsuccessful.

The blockage was attributed to sand, stones, cloths and other solid waste that had entered the sewer network.

“The technical team responsible for hydraulic pressure jetting is already on site and finalising the work,” said Mashigo.

The specialised hydraulic pressure jetting equipment was being used to remove the foreign objects obstructing the sewer collector line.

Residents will be hoping the intervention resolves the problem and restores safe, sanitary conditions in their neighbourhood.

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