BETHAL – Sewage as far as the eye can see with no manpower or workers in sight.
This is what the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s sewerage station in Mark Street in Bethal looks like.
Residents living in the area of Mark Street all the way down to eMzinoni, are surrounded by a sewage swamp.
Flamingos, among many other bird species seeking insects in the infested sewage wetland and a farmer’s livestock grazing grass closeby, were exposed to this toxic health hazard that is not only dangerous for nature, but also to the human race.
A resident who wants to remain anonymous said: “I have been battling for months with sinus and bronchitis because of this disgusting air.
“Every time we complain to the municipality, but nothing is getting done about this. This has been ongoing for many years.”
She has been living in her home for 39 years and every year they dread the summer.
“When it is winter the smell is bad, but my goodness come summer, you cannot sit outside or open windows. The stench is unbearable; you are continuously surrounded by insects and flies.”
While the Ridge Times reporter was speaking to the resident, a vehicle with two men pulled up to the pump station. The reporter was told to speak to the spokesperson for the municipality, however one of the men said; “We know, this is bad. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. If we don’t get cooperation from the correct people, the people on the ground can’t do anything.”
The severity and life threatening illnesses people are exposed to at the east end of Mark, Du Plooy, Joubert and Kleijnhans Street are unknown. The sewage flows down into eMzinoni, surrounding it completely.
The effluent also flows directly into the Blesbokspruit which leads to the Vaal River.
The Ridge Times sent questions on email and WhatsApp with supporting images to the spokesman of GMM. No response has been received at time of going to print.
