FOR the past seven days residents of Hime Street in Wentworth have been struggling to access their homes due to a severe sewage spill that left a block of flats flooded.

Residents complained about the ageing infrastructure which causes recurring sewage blockages.

Also read: Nizam Road Primary School celebrates 60 years with fusion night fundraiser

The affected building, which houses more than 10 families, became waterlogged on April 8 after a municipal service payloader accidentally damaged a sewage drain.

The incident triggered widespread flooding throughout the block and surrounding flats. Since last Tuesday, elderly people and children have been forced to navigate through contaminated water to enter or exit their homes.

In an attempt to manage:

• Residents have laid down bricks as makeshift stepping stones
• Those unable to balance on the bricks have had to rely on assistance from neighbours.

Resident Jenny Slinger called on community leaders to act swiftly to fix the problem.

“Municipal workers were clearing the nearby dumping area when the payloader struck the sewage drain,” she said.

She added that the situation is especially dire for those with health conditions.

“People on chronic medication are forced to breathe in the sewage stench that now fills the air. Some elderly residents have to be carried out by family members because they simply can’t get through the flooded area on their own. The sewage has even started seeping into the ground-floor units. This is a disaster,” said Slinger.

Also read: Enhancing public service: Inquiry desk opens at Wentworth police station

When the SUN visited the Hime Street flats on April 12, frustrated residents expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the flats, citing long-standing infrastructure issues.

EThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit was trying to drain out the sewage water and unblock the sewage drains.

Sheradine Sauls complained about the poorly maintained flats.

“The condition of these flats is terrible. We’ve been battling sewage problems for a while, but it’s never reached the point where our homes were flooded. With this constant sewage smell spreading into more units, we’re worried about the long-term impact on our health, especially respiratory problems,” said Sauls.

Chairperson of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) Desmond D’sa confirmed that the issue is recurring.

“Sewage problems in blocks 170 and 172 happen almost every month. The drainage system is old and poorly maintained. Since Tuesday, I’ve been on the ground with the community, helping where I can. Thankfully, the South Durban Basin office has been responsive and helped us reach the relevant municipal departments.”

The EWS team and other departments are working on bringing a long-lasting solution to the sewage crisis on Hime Street.

Ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman said a project to refurbish the Hime Street flats is on the cards.

“Hime Street flats buildings are almost 65 years old, so therefore the sewer infrastructure is ageing. We have been engaging with the Human Settlements Department to devise plans and come up with a long-lasting solution.

“It has been confirmed that 477 units will be refurbished in Hime Street and this will include replacing the ageing infrastructure,” said Snyman.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.