Residents in eMbalenhle demand permanent solution to recurring sewage spills
Community wants municipality to conduct a comprehensive environmental and public health impact assessment.
Residents of Ext 18 in eMbalenhle have had enough of recurring sewage spills, despite repeated interventions by the Govan Mbeki Municipality to unblock sewer pipes and manholes.
The residents are calling on the municipality to implement a permanent solution to the long-standing problem, warning that the continuous sewage overflows pose serious health and environmental risks to the community.
They are also demanding that the municipality conduct a comprehensive environmental and public health impact assessment to determine the extent of the damage caused by the recurring sewage spills.
Community member George Ndlovu said the municipality’s current approach of dispatching honey sucker trucks whenever the sewer system overflows is failing to address the root cause of the problem.
“The only solution is to begin rebuilding our sewer network because it appears that it was constructed by incompetent contractors who incorrectly installed the pipes and manholes,” said Ndlovu.
“We have been living with this problem since we were allocated houses here about 15 years ago. Every time we report the matter, the municipality sends a honey sucker truck, but we believe this is only a temporary measure.
We need a permanent solution instead of repeated short-term interventions.
“This is not just an inconvenience—it is a life-threatening issue that requires urgent attention,” said Ndlovu.
The problem has also affected residents of the Azania informal settlement, where sewage flows from the neighbouring RDP housing area due to repeated overflows from the Extension 22 pump station.
Residents claim that the overflowing sewage has created unhealthy living conditions and poses a significant health risk, particularly to children who are at home during the school holidays and playing near the contaminated water.
Azania community leader Paulos Thwala accused the municipality of neglecting the wellbeing of informal settlement residents.
“We feel that the municipality does not recognise us as human beings. How can sewage be allowed to flow into our settlement while this problem continues without a lasting solution?
“Residents of Azania are appealing to the municipality to consider our health and dignity by ensuring that sewage is no longer discharged into our community.
ALSO CHECK: Roadworks on R545 between Bethal and Kriel again in the spotlight
“We know the municipality may say the sewage overflowed from the Extension 22 pump station and that repairs will be done, but we want this problem to be resolved once and for all,” said Thwala.
Residents from both communities have urged the Govan Mbeki Municipality to prioritise the rehabilitation of the ageing sewer infrastructure and develop a long-term maintenance plan to prevent future sewage spills.
Donald Green, the municipality’s media liaison and content developer, said the municipality is aware of the recurring sewage spills in parts of Ext 18 and has been responding to reported incidents through its water and sanitation services.
“The recurring spillages are primarily caused by repeated blockages within the sewer network. Investigations have revealed that the sewer system is frequently obstructed by foreign objects and inappropriate waste disposed of into the sewer lines. These recurring blockages cause sewage to back up and overflow.”
Green said the municipality is also assessing the condition of the existing infrastructure to determine whether additional rehabilitation or upgrades are required. Green said the municipal teams respond to reported sewer spillages as quickly as possible to minimise health and environmental risks.
“Once the blockage has been cleared, affected areas are cleaned where practicable.”
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting incidents through the municipal call centre on 0800 060 046 / 0800 060 047 or WhatsApp on 083 790 0659 so that every complaint is recorded and attended to.
ALSO CHECK: VIDEO: eMbalenhle community marches to Secunda over illegal immigration concerns
