WATCH: eMaxhoseni Informal settlement residents live in pool of sewage spill
Top on the list of their grievances included poor living conditions, damaged mobile toilets, unemployment and a pool of raw sewage that spills over into their area of abode.
RESIDENTS of eMaxhoseni informal settlement near Joburg CBD are up in arms following a pool of sewage waste spill that has been overflowing into their doorsteps since last year November.
Residents invited Ward 124 Clr Mongameli Mnyameni to listen to their grievances. On January 21, the councillor visited the settlement.
Top on the list of their grievances included poor living conditions, damaged mobile toilets, unemployment and a pool of raw sewage that spills over into their area of abode.
According to the residents, the sewage spill is an overflow from a burst sewerage pipe at the nearby clinic.
The pool of raw sewage spilling over into their doorsteps is a health hazard of concern to the residents, and an inconvenience as they find it difficult to move back and forth in the midst of the overflow. Mnyameni was given gumboots to wear to walk through the spill to experience what the residents have to go through every day.
“This is inhumane. People can’t continue living like this, and there are children living in these conditions. The place stinks. I will escalate the matter to the relevant officials in the council to help out because the problems outlined by the residents are really serious and need immediate attention,” said Mnyameni.
Also, the residents are concerned about shacks that are built close together. The residents fear that if one shack catches fire it will quickly spread to other shacks. But most pressingly, residents would like the council authority to get rid of the sewage pool because they can’t handle the stench any longer.
One of the residents Lameck Moyo said: “We have been living in the settlement since 1998 and are in need of service delivery. But that is a topic for another day. Today, the pressing problem is the stench from the sewage pool and the fact that we can’t move around as we please without passing through the sewage. We want this pool swept out so that we can get on with our lives.”
WATCH:
ALSO READ:
Leaves spoil swimming pleasure for the Van der Schyffs
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Get regular news updates sent directly to your inbox: Newsletter-Signup
