“It is going to be difficult because children have already thrown stones into the canal. It would be a lot easier just to pump out the water.”
RESIDENTS living in Phillip Mphiwa Street in Galeshewe have had enough . . . they can no longer live with the stench coming from a nearby water canal and see it as a health hazard.
Raw sewage, a river of blue-grey water, flows next to Sol Plaatje Primary School and houses in the area.
The water canal was earmarked for the installation of water pipes last year, however, it is believed that the overflowing sewage resulted in this project coming to a standstill.
According to residents they reported this matter to the Sol Plaatje Municipality on several occasions, but “municipal trucks just go there to do inspections and drive away”.
“We always feel so relieved when we see a municipal truck stopping at the canal, but the municipal workers never say a word to us.
“The situation has become critical . . . we cannot eat or breathe due to the stench,” Dirk Job, one of the residents living in the area, said.
“It appears as if municipal workers are only monitoring the situation and are waiting for the water to dry up.
“It is going to be difficult because children have already thrown stones into the canal. It would be a lot easier just to pump out the water.”
Job suspected that the sewerage pipe had been redirected into the street. Although the canal is not full, raw sewage is running down the street.
According to the residents, peaceful sleep is a thing of the past due to the mosquitoes.
“We cannot even invite people to our homes or sit outside because of the unbearable stench,” Sello Mothusi said.
The municipality said that it was aware of the issue and that it was currently monitoring the situation.
