SEBOKENG. – For more than 14 years, a massive open ditch has sat like a ticking time bomb in the heart of Zone 20.

Residents say the site, left behind by Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) contractors, has become a huge risk to their lives and a dumping ground for rubbish.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, DA Councillor Hlalele Mosuoane said the open ditch has been left unattended for a prolonged period, posing significant risks to the community, particularly children who frequently play in the area, and also community members passing by.

Mosouane highlighted several risks associated with the abandoned open ditch:

• Drowning hazard: The ditch is deep and can fill with water during rainy seasons, creating a drowning hazard for unsuspecting children.
• Injury and accidents: The open ditch is a tripping hazard, and its rough edges can cause severe injuries to children and adults alike.
• Vector-borne diseases: Stagnant water in the ditch can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying vectors.
• Environmental concerns: The ditch may be contaminated with pollutants, posing a risk to our environment and water sources.

“We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address this issue,” he said.

Mosouane argued that the ditch must be alternatively fenced off to prevent access or regularly inspected and maintained to prevent future negligence.

“We believe that the community deserves a safe environment, and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure our community is protected from harm. We appeal to the authorities to take prompt action to mitigate these risks and create a safer community for all.”

The ELM said, “Contrary to reports that the open ditch/stormwater earth drain located in Sebokeng Zone 20 has been abandoned, the municipality has been attending to the drain as and when reported by residents and the ward councillor. Our teams last serviced the earth drain in November 2025 after the Roads and Stormwater team noticed that it was flooding.”

The municipality further said that its teams inspect the channel regularly, particularly after heavy rains to identify and address structural damages.

“Regrettably, the functionality of the earth drain in Zone 20 is highly impacted by illegal dumping, a situation that damages the environment, poses a health risk and leads to flooding. Consistent with all mentioned, our Infrastructure Planning and Development (IPD) Department has been notified of the matter and as a result, plans to upgrade the earth drain are still on going. Thus far, IPD has successfully completed planning
and a study to formally register the project. The team is now working on finalising a motivation to register the project and business plan to secure funding. At the outset, our priority is to manage the drainage and control the water however, we would like to put it on record that this is something that is not going to happen overnight as due diligence is needed for it to be a success. We are therefore pleading for patience from affected residents.”