Sewage is a problem in Sakhile, especially in Rooikoppen.
Ms Bongi Sibeko, founder of Emuhle Unkulunkulu Community Care and Skill Centre, has been struggling with leaking sewage since last November.
“I have reported the matter to the municipality a number of times and till today nothing has been done,” she said.
The sewage problem is worse now because of the rain and it is difficult for the children to enter the premises of the school.
“This sewage problem began during the children’s graduation last year.
“The parents had to carry the children into the centre.”
Mr Sipho Mkwanazi, spokesman of the Lekwa Municipality has been quoted many times saying that people should get a reference number after they report such matters.
Ms Sibeko got a reference number (135051) from the municipality, to no avail.
The caregivers at the centre even opted to use small buckets for the children to relieve themselves because the toilets are in a bad state.
“When we flush the toilets, all the raw sewage comes back up,” Ms Jeanette Radebe, caregiver, said.
Children have been living with all the raw waste for the past six months. The sewage contains used condoms and the children play with it, thinking they are balloons.
“I found the children blowing a used condom one day,” Ms Radebe said.
Children are exposed to different illnesses because of the waste.
A resident said the municipality should prioritise problems in areas were they put children in danger.
According to Ms Sibeko, people complained to the municipality, but instead of them fixing the sewage, they told them that a new manhole needs to be built and they added gravel on the road to prevent the water from going into people’s yards.
“Now all this raw sewage passes the gate, making it difficult for people to enter the centre,” Ms Sibeko said.
A woman who stays next door, said she is tired of the municipality because she has reported the matter many times, but nothing has been done. Mr Mkwanazi acknowledged the sewage problem in Rooikoppen. He said the municipality has to re-lay the pipes, which is going to be a process requiring funds.
People who reported problems and have a reference number can call him at 071 688 6325.
