RESIDENTS of Lower Illovo are at their wits’ end having to wade through raw sewage to get into their homes, fighting off the stench and grappling with eThekwini Municipality falsely reporting the matter to be resolved for the past two weeks.

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Resident, pastor Kuben Govender, said that after nearly a dozen reference calls to eThekwini Municipality, he is told that the fault is resolved and the ticket is closed, yet the sewage outfall persists.

Govender explained that a sewage outfall is emanating from his home’s back drain, leading to continuous flow of sewage across his property. He added that it is not only a health hazard, but is also causing property damage to many community members suffering the same issue.

 “I have sent countless photographs depicting the sewage flowing in my yard. For two weeks non-stop, I have been stonewalled. The stench is absolutely terrible. We have had to dig a makeshift drain and had to fund our own chemicals to alleviate the problem,” said Govender.

His elderly neighbour, Rani Pillay, has lived in her Lower Illovo home for over 40 years. She said that ever since she bought her home, she has been battling continuous sewage problems.

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She keeps her doors and windows shut at all times in an effort to cope with the stench and potential health ramifications, going so far as to steer clear of her backyard entirely. Due to her limited mobility, she enlists the help of a domestic worker, Goodness Cona, who helps keep the property clean. Pillay explained that her grandchildren have already left home to avoid any potential sickness.

“My chest is tight because of difficulty breathing with that stench all around us. I paid somebody to clean up and within a matter of days, the sewage is back again. We are in desperate need for someone to come and help us,” she pleaded.

The SUN has reported on the community’s plight on several occasions over the years. A permanent solution has yet to be found. Govender explained that the municipality does send trucks on occasion to suck up the overflow, but it does little to alleviate the situation as multiple homes still experience sewage outfall.

The eThekwini Municipality has been approached for comment with reference to the faults reported by residents, however, at the time of publishing, no response has been received. Media relations officer Rhulani Baloyi explained that the City is in the process of collating information, and confirmed that the matter is receiving attention.

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