FOR more than a year, residents of Montclair have been enduring the persistent, unpleasant stench of raw sewage that plagues the suburb.

The longstanding issue is taking a toll on the community, particularly the elderly, who are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the streets.

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Residents are now calling on authorities to address the situation and fix the ageing infrastructure once and for all.

Residents share their stories about sewage issues

One resident, 74-year-old pensioner, Motloli Libeela, has lived on Jardine Road with her family since 1991.

She recalls a time when Montclair was a thriving suburb with well-maintained verges and a strong sense of community.

“When I first moved here, the suburb was glorious. But, over the years, things have deteriorated. The ageing sewage infrastructure is a major cause for concern. We are constantly dealing with sewage blockages. Sewage water runs down the road and I can’t even safely navigate around the place without stepping over raw sewage,” said Libeela.

Ageing infrastructure blamed for consistent sewage blockages

Libeela and her neighbours have been requesting the replacement of the old infrastructure for years, but according to them, their pleas have gone unanswered by the officials and eThekwini Municipality.

Her neighbour, Vusi Msweli, echoed these frustrations, explaining that while municipal workers have come to the area multiple times to try and resolve the situation, no lasting fixes have been made.

“Municipal workers come to unblock the sewage pipes, but the problem remains. Nothing has been properly fixed, and the issue continues to persist,” said Msweli.

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The situation has raised concerns about the long-term health and safety implications for residents, particularly the elderly, who face additional challenges in avoiding the hazardous waste.

The residents are now demanding immediate attention and action from the municipality.

“Who would want to buy a house where sewage runs in the streets daily? The authorities should come up with a long-lasting solution,” Libeela added.

Another resident, Anne Holdsworth, said she has reported it many times to eThekwini Municipality’s WhatsApp number, but nothing is getting fixed.

“It has been going on for far too long, almost two years with no positive results. It’s becoming a health risk,” said Holdsworth.

eThekwini Municipality’s response:

eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said a team from the wastewater unit responded promptly to the fault and cleared the blockage multiple times.