RAW sewage seeping through the holding cells next to Port Shepstone B court proved to be the final straw for many frustrated court officials last week.
The drains and toilets had been blocked for several days, causing the sewage to overflow.
It made it unbearable for the officials, as well as the public.
It seems the sewage overflowed after maintenance staff went on strike, with the toilets not being cleaned for several days.
According to an official, the toilets were blocked and the prisoners defecated on the floor.
“It was unbearable. One could smell it from the car park. This is a public place and I cannot believe that, in this day and age, this is allowed. It is totally unacceptable,” said the official.
He added that he addressed the problem with a senior court official, and was instructed by the official to provide a bucket in fumigated cells for the prisoners to use.
Due to the stench, all proceedings in B court had to be moved to D court.
When the Herald visited the court last Friday, the holding cells at B court had been cleaned.
However, as of yesterday (Wednesday), the stench still lingered.
