LIMPOPO – Life has become difficult for Elim residents who are forced to watch their step in their own homes, as a stinky sludge of sewage flows all the way from an overflowing manhole at Elim Mall into their homes.

Residents blame the municipality for not sending someone to repair the sewer pipes when they reported the problem nearly two weeks ago, and now it has become unbearable to even breathe in the village.

At least four houses next to the burst manhole are badly affected, so much so that the owners have to constantly mop up the filthy slop from their floors and bathrooms in an attempt to avoid viruses and bacteria. Fredrick Lowani says his house is wet, cold and smelly.

“I cannot bear to look at the faeces floating up in the dirty water from the underground pipes. My furniture is damaged.”

According to Lowani, it is not the first time that the manhole overflows. “It has been going on for at least five years now, and every once in a while, sewage spills out and then the municipality has to come to unclog the pipes. But this time it is worse than ever. I wish the municipality would just tell us what is happening because we are tired of living like pigs,” he said.

“I have sinus and I do not enjoy my food anymore because of the stink in my house. I have to sit outside to eat to avoid getting nauseous,” he said.

Another resident, Khensani Mahlaule, says she cannot stop gagging and holds her nose because of the terrible stench. “It’s difficult to breathe. No one can eat because the smell is so strong. We scoop human faeces out of our houses with our bare hands!”

Mahlaule said that she had contacted the municipality about the problem on numerous occasions. The municipality’s officials apparently promise her that they would come to fix it every time, but then no-one shows up.

“The municipality doesn’t care about our health, and my health is at risk now. I can’t even open the windows. This smell is everywhere inside and outside. My children cannot play outside because of the human waste floating around, and it’s not good for their health either. Some of the residents have already fallen ill because of these unhealthy conditions.”

Mahlaule says they are tired of waiting for the municipality to deliver. “We are helpless. We don’t know what to do anymore. We always had hope and faith in our government, but things seem to be getting worse by the day. Life is difficult for us. We elected this government to make sure we get services, but they seem to have forgotten about us, making our lives miserable. We need help before it is too late,” she said desperately.

Vhembe District Municipality’s spokesperson, Matodzi Ralushai confirmed they had received complaints from the residents, but said that the team they sent out to repair the problem had been intimidated by some residents.