The DA mayoral candidate for Lesedi Local Municipality, Mokete Motsamai, is demanding immediate municipal intervention after an oversight visit exposed severe infrastructure failures and escalating health risks at Silahliwe Flats.

During the visit, Motsamai discovered large pools of raw sewage surrounding the residential buildings. Blocked sewer lines are causing wastewater to flow backwards directly into residents’ homes, flooding their kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. This situation has created a serious public health hazard, forcing families to live in unsafe and degrading conditions.

Resident Paul Mthembu shared that he lives with constant sewage spillages around his home. Families are forced to endure unbearable odours, exposure to disease, and contaminated living spaces, which expose them to disease.

Motsamai noted that residents are frequently visiting local clinics, with children particularly suffering from respiratory complications and other health issues linked to prolonged exposure to the sewage.

Residents have expressed frustration, saying that the municipality’s intervention has only been temporary. In addition to the sewage crisis, the housing complex is suffering from visible structural decay. Cracked walls, water damage, and exposed electrical infrastructure are creating even more safety risks for those living there.

The complex is also affected by visible structural deterioration, including cracked walls, water damage, and exposed electrical infrastructure that poses additional safety risks.

“It is entirely unacceptable that families are forced to live in homes surrounded by raw sewage while paying rates and taxes. The people of Silahliwe Flats deserve dignity, safety, and a municipality that responds to their needs. Immediate and decisive action is required to resolve this crisis once and for all,” Motsamai said.
To address the disaster, the DA is urging the municipality to deploy an urgent engineering task team to assess and repair the failing sewer infrastructure. Furthermore, they are calling for a comprehensive audit of the building’s structural and electrical safety, alongside a permanent solution to stop the recurring sewer spillages.