Residents in eMbalenhle connected their toilets pipes to the storm water drainage

Residents in White City and Mandela Section connected their toilets to the stormwater drainage that channels stormwater into the water streams in their areas.

They claim to be doing this because the sewerage system is dysfunctional. These residents are exposed to the stench from the stormwater drain.

In 2019, the national and provincial governments secured millions of rands to fix the eMbalenhle sewerage infrastructure. This included the refurbishment of the Mandela section’s sewer system.

A contractor was appointed and while work was in progress, the then Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, visited the Mandela Section and Ext 18 to inspect and monitor the progress of the project aimed at dealing with the sewerage crisis in the area.

This was a follow-up visit since launching a national intervention programme to support distressed and dysfunctional municipalities.

However, residents now claim that the intervention never brought change because they are still facing sewage challenges.

Recently, the Bethal Regional Court has fined the Govan Mbeki Municipality R200m, of which R50m was suspended for five years for water contamination and contravening environmental laws.

The mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, told the media they will abide by the court’s decision. He said GMM has already begun working on some problems pointed out by the court.

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Ayanda Nogwanya said he connected his toilet pipe to the stormwater drainage because all the sewage from other houses used to push up into his toilet, washbasin and sink. This issue began after the contractor appointed to fix their sewer network in Mandela Section left.

“We are not happy with what we are doing, but we have no choice. It was either living with sewage in our homes or letting it drain into the stream.

“The government invested a lot of money to fix our sewerage system, yet they did not monitor the contractor who was supposed to do the work. Our municipality will soon be fined again if this situation is not fixed. We are also contributing because we don’t have a choice,” said Nogwanya.

Tonny Mabizela, a community leader who lives in the area, said he cannot sit outside his house anymore, because the stench from the stormwater drain is unbearable.

“We had hope when the former Cogta Minister visited us and checked on the sewerage project’s progress. However, we have lost hope when the contractor left the site.

“The situation worsens daily, as you can see many households with pipes from their toilets connected to the stormwater drain. Residents have no other options. We are human and we need to use our toilets,” said Mabizela.

Thembi Mabena said the pipe she connected to the stormwater drain started to give her problems.
Mabena said the waste pushed back up into her house.

“Daily, I have to sweep the floor. Whenever we flush the toilet, waste comes back up. We will have to replace this pipe,” said Mabena.

She said they were waiting for the municipality to fix their problem as per their promise after the Bethal court judgement.