Some residents in Johann Street, Meyerville, are at the end of their tether because the foundations of their houses are damaged to the point of total collapse.
The culprit is none other than a sewage overflow.
Corné Stoltz, Freedom Front Plus councillor, recently brought it to the attention of the Standerton Advertiser.
Stoltz wrote a letter dated March 14, to the manager of the Lekwa Municipality, LD Tsotetsi, in which the serious spillage at the pump stations in Johann and Seijn Streets are emphasised.
Pollution of the Vaal River is the result.
“Development has increased tremendously in Standerton, but the infrastructure has been standing still for years,” the letter said.
Stoltz is of the opinion that putting Lekwa under administration under Section 139, has worsened the situation.
He said trenches dug by the municipality at Frederik Street main manholes led sewage overflow directly to the Vaal River.
He accompanied the mayor, Louis Delani Thabethi, and the former MM, Johnny Mokgatsi, as well as officials from Lekwa in early December last year on a site visit to see for themselves what was going on at 2A, 2B and 2C Johann Street.
According to him, it came to everyone’s attention, apart from the water pollution in the river, that direct, irreparable damage to the Lotters’ properties are wrought.
The inside walls of the one house are full of damp and mould.
Health risks are mentioned and the letter stated that the municipality will be held accountable.
The Freedom Front Plus placed on record that consideration is given to bring contamination of the Vaal River to the attention of the World Health Organisation, Cogta, Green Scorpions and Blue Scorpions.
“This situation is totally unacceptable and criminal,” the letter read.
In conclusion, Stoltz referred to the Constitution of South Africa, the National Water Act, and also said a case was opened at the local police station in 2020.
Stoltz said last week that no reply had been received from the municipality to date.
The Standerton Advertiser is in possession of a copy of a letter, written by a son of the Lotters, in which the situation is illuminated further.
According to the letter, it began way back in 2013 when the drains to the three houses in Johann Street were blocked, and the pumping station was vandalised and not working.
“Meyerville’s sewage pushed back into the river, as reported many times by the Standerton Advertiser, as well as the DA’s former councillor, Louis van Rensburg,” Lotter’s letter read.
Videos of the spillage are in possession of the newspaper.
Mention is then made of the December 11 visit by the mayor and several engineers.
Mayor Thabethe’s response allegedly was ‘unfixable’.
The elderly Lotters, aged 88 and 81, became very ill due to all the moisture, close to the property.
“It is a swamp with an unbearable smell and now a place with frogs and snakes around the property.
“We try to control the garden and maintain a healthy environment to live in as this property was bought 40 years ago to ensure that, as pensioners with a very low income, we will be able to have a roof over our heads and for our children as well.”
The walls and foundation of the two properties on the one stand are now cracking and on the inside, there is mould including the cabinets and bathroom.
“I also had to abandon the other property as it was not possible for anyone to live without a toilet flushing or grey water to be drained into the existing drains, which were overflowing into my house.”
There is only one drain connection provided for the two properties, and the property now occupied is the lowest point in this suburb.
The letter alluded to the value of the property at this stage.
The owners are unable to repair the damage, afford legal counsel, or appoint a civil engineer for a claim to be submitted to council.
Wilma Venter, in her former capacity as community activist, furnished the Freedom Front Plus in 2020, with information about pollution of the Vaal River.
A criminal charge was laid against the municipality and the former municipal manager, Gugu Ntshangase.
The sewage problems of the Lotters have been reported numerous times over the past years and the latest reference number is 023594.
The Standerton Advertiser sent a WhatsApp-message to Thobeka Mtshiselwa, communications manager at Lekwa, on Thursday, April 7, asking for comment.
No reply was received at the time of going to press.
The elderly Lotters wished not to be photographed and left communication to their son.
