Land covered in knee-deep green watery sludge is what residents in Ext22 have been living with for years.
When visiting the affected homes in Ext22, one can not help but question how it is acceptable for any human to live in such inhumane and horrendous conditions.
Concerned children of one of the residents pleaded with the Ridge Times to help, because their father is unable to access his RDP house which is surrounded by water.
The 63-year-old man suffers from diabetes and because of an infection, his leg had to be amputated.
He now uses the aid of crutches to walk.
According to his children, who wished not to be named, this has been an ongoing matter for four years.
“He can’t go inside his house because there is a lot of water. He is on crutches, he can’t move around through the water,” said a concerned family member.
Another concern is the water getting into any wounds or sores which could lead to gangrene.
“We just want the water to be drained. We have reported this to the municipality, but are just told they will come back to us.
“The water is knee-deep. You need gumboots to get into the house. The water is even inside the house.”
It is said that the water level is even worse when it rains.
“It is not only our house but many along this side of the street. The water stinks, you can’t even eat.”
They said that even if their father was in a wheelchair, he would still not be able to access his house through the water.
The Ridge Time spoke to neighbours who have the same living conditions.
No words can describe the horrendous stench and state.
When looking from the front of the property towards the back, it is surrounded by watery green sludge that is in some places knee-deep.
One of the residents had put up a shack for his daughter but said she can not stay in there because it is underwater and all the furniture has been damaged.
All the affected residents have lost furniture because of the water.
One can also see on the outside walls how high water levels had risen.
The residents are not even able to access their outside toilets.
One of the residents said that the RDP houses were built on top of a sinkhole, while another resident said that a long time ago there use to be a dam at the back of the property.
“It was supposed to be closed but it never was. When it fills up, it flows into our property. Now, when it rains it is always full.
“We never receive feedback from the municipality. Our lives are difficult here,” said a resident.
The Ridge Times reported on this specific affected area on January 15, 2021: Community in eMba believes they are living on top of a sinkhole (https://bit.ly/3yK8J1n)
To date, there had been no improvement in the residents’ living conditions.
Lucky Mhlongo, acting head of communications at the Govan Mbeki Municipality, said they will send a team to investigate and want will then give a comment as soon as possible.
