Residents threaten to sue ELM

VEREENIGING. – House Number 50 A on Beaconsfield Avenue in Vereeniging, is swimming in sewerage resulting in its owners threatening to take legal action against the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) should anything happen to them, or the house itself.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster house owner and pensioner, Anna Ndhlovu, said that they have been reporting the blockage in their houses’ sewerage system since early last year only to result in being taken from pillar to post by the ELM. Ndhlovu said that at times they are told that there is nothing that can be done as the problem stems from an old infrastructure system that was inherited from the apartheid era.
Ndhlovu said that her health and that of her family is at risk. What worries her the most is the toxic sewerage that seeps through the walls of her house causing them to crack.
“We are at risk here and the municipality should take note of that.
“ I bought this house and paid it off, therefore the municipality will have to buy me a new one should anything happen to it.
“They should also consider that we have young children in this yard and the stench emanating from this is soon going to kill us…should anything happen to my house or family there will be hell to pay! I will sue them.”
Residents who run businesses on the same street, also pleaded with the municipality to come to their rescue as their businesses have been dwindling due to the spillage.
The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, together with her team were recently been in the area having engagements with different stakeholders.
Sisulu also monitored progress made in the Vaal River Intervention Project (VRIP) with includes the maintenance and replacement of the ‘old’ infrastructure. The VRIP is aimed at curbing sewer spillages in residential areas in ELM and in the Vaal River System (VRS).
Led by the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT), as implementing agents, the VRIP boasts other stakeholders that include the ELM, the National Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Gauteng CoGTA and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA).
It is estimated the project will run for three years with an initial budget of R1 billion required.