Sewage threatens health of cancer-stricken twins from eMzinoni
Within days of receiving their new house, raw sewage began spilling into their yard and bathroom.
After the ANC in Mpumalanga handed a fully furnished six-room house to the Mkhonza family in eMzinoni, Ext 22, last year, fulfilling a promise made to the cancer-stricken twins, the family now grapples with a severe sewerage issue that threatens the boys’ health.
Phumzile Mkhonza and her sons, Lwandile and Lwanele Mkhonza, who suffer from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare genetic disorder that makes them vulnerable to skin and other cancers, previously lived in a cramped three-room shack in their grandmother’s backyard.
The shack’s intense heat was a constant danger to the twins, who must avoid sun and heat exposure because of their condition.
Receiving the new house was a relief for the family. Within days, however, a new nightmare began – raw sewage began spilling into their yard and bathroom.
“I was so happy when we received the house. It felt like a blessing that would finally give my boys a safe space to live, but now, the sewage spills have turned our lives into a nightmare.
“The waste overflows into the house every time we flush the toilet. My sons’ condition requires a clean, healthy environment. I now worry the sewage might harm them more than their illness,” said an emotional Mkhonza.
She has reported the issue several times to the municipality, and officials respond by unblocking the pipes, but the problem recurs within days.
“I’m exhausted. It keeps happening. I don’t know if they did it intentionally or if the municipality does not care. I’ve now requested the municipality to completely disconnect the sewer system so I can try to raise money to install a septic tank instead,” said Mkhonza.
Mkhonza appealed to the public, local businesses and community organisations to help her raise funds for a septic tank, which she believes is essential for safeguarding her sons’ health.
“This is no longer about comfort; it’s about survival. I’m asking anyone who can help us to please come forward,” said Mkhonza.
Donald Green, the media liaison and content development officer at the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM), said the GMM had inspected the property in Ext 22. However, the Water and Sanitation team could not do its work.
“People have built shacks atop the municipal sewer lines, causing sewage spills. The municipality has issued notices to vacate the invaded space to enable it to access its sewer line,” said Green.
“The 14-day notice given to those invaders to vacate the area has lapsed, and the municipality went to reinspect and found the shacks were removed. Only one shack remained, and the municipality plans to evict the owner so it can work on the sewer lines,” said Green.
Green said the community was advised of this challenge. The GMM warns the community to stop building shacks everywhere because of the problems they create for the municipality.
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