Lekwa Local Municipality remains committed to ensuring public safety at all times. This is according to Lubabalo Majenge, the municipality’s manager for communication.

He responded to the front page story on the Standerton Advertiser last week about a man who drowned in a sewage-filled trench in town in March.

The trench bordering Nelson Mandela Drive was left unattended for months before the drowning. A taxi also veered off the road and ended up in that trench last year.

The municipality filled the trench the day after the drowning.

Ward councillor Wilma Venter of the Freedom Front Plus said in the previous story that the council had been warned numerously about the trench, and the matter was discussed in council more than once.

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Majenge said the police are still investigating the drowning, and conclusions should not be drawn yet.
He explained the trench was created as an interim technical intervention to redirect sewage flow into the existing sewer infrastructure.

“This intervention became necessary due to challenges encountered during the rehabilitation of a road project being implemented by an appointed contractor.

“It must, however, be emphasised that the trench did not form part of the original project design or scope of works for the appointed contractor. The redirection of sewage flow presented technical complexities that required a more comprehensive and planned engineering solution.”

Majenge said that in light of these complexities, the municipality had already resolved to implement a dedicated project to address the sewer redirection challenge in a sustainable and compliant manner.

“Notwithstanding the above, the municipality acknowledges that there were delays in the closure of the trench.

“To mitigate any further potential risks associated with the open trench, the municipality intervened directly to close the trench as an urgent safety measure.

“The municipality remains committed to ensuring public safety at all times and to implementing properly planned and engineered infrastructure solutions,” concluded Majenge.

In the meantime, the police have asked for the community’s help in identifying the victim, who was wearing denim and a dark shirt at the time of his death. He is described as an African man with a beard.

Anyone with information may contact the commander of the detectives, Captain Abraham Skhosana, on 076 942 3935.