Sewage spills cause a stink

Sewage spills seem to be a perennial problem in Ugu District Municipality, and one hotspot in particular is the Mbango area in Port Shepstone.

The South Coast has been hit with sewage spills at most rivers from Southbroom to Port Shepstone, and the municipality can’t provide reasonable answers for this daily occurrence.

Last week many witnessed raw sewage spewing from manholes between Shelly Beach and Port Shepstone, as well as from ruptured pipes in Umbango.

Last Wednesday, in Wooley Street in the Port Shepstone CBD, sewage spewed out from a manhole leaving a terrible stench and messy streets.

“This is an on-going battle that we as business owners face in this town. The site and smell of sewage along Wooley Street was disgusting for pedestrians and motorists. Some businesses closed their doors as the stench was too much and lost valuable income,” said one business owner.

On the same day sewage overflowed from a manhole at the old Port Shepstone Museum, and into Marine Drive and the Mbango River.

Last Saturday sewage was seen flowing on the southbound lane on the R102 near the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital, and again into the Mbango River.

Another businessman stated that, “Sanitation and waste water treatment form a vital part of Ugu’s service delivery. Its failure is due to poor governance and lack of political administration. The mayor and municipal manager have to take responsibility for this continuous failure. The media has highlighted the problem of sewage numerous times but those in charge don’t seem to care,” he said.

No comment was received from Ugu District Municipality prior to going to print.