The Gous family of Ext 18, eMbalenhle, said they are living in fear that their house will be destroyed by sewage spilling into their yard from a blocked and overflowing manhole.
Ms Xoli Gous said children are always playing in the pool of sewage and she is afraid that they might be infected with diseases.
“We are afraid that our house will be damaged. Some of us are beginning to cough and we suspect that we have contracted a respiratory illness.
“Even our 94-year-old grandmother, Ms Agnes Gous, is not feeling well since we are living in this sewage and stench,” said Ms Gous.
“We have reported the sewage spill several times to the municipal offices. They keep on promising that they will send a suction truck, but it has not yet happened.
“We have been living in this condition for a month without help,” said Ms Xoli Gous.
Mr Donald Green, acting head of communications at Govan Mbeki Municipality, said they are attending to all sewage blockages in eMbalenhle, including that which is affecting the lives of the Gous family.
He said since the sewer plant has been vandalised and the electric cables have been stolen, the municipality is experiencing sewage spills in the area.
“We are appealing to residents to work with us in fighting the theft and vandalism of municipal infrastructure that is taking place these days because that derail the municipality in bringing services to the community,” said Mr Green.
