Greenpoint residents are at their wits’ end in regards to sewage problems they have been experiencing for over a decade.
RESIDENTS of Maroela Street in Greenpoint are at their wits’ end over Sol Plaatje Municipality’s “incompetence” in solving the sewage problems they have been experiencing for over a decade.
During Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s recent visit to the area, she noted large pools of sewage and piles of rubbish floating in the water.
Pigs, which are apparently owned by local farmers, are freely roaming the street and swimming in the sewage.
The residents said that the local municipality has failed them for the past 10 years. They said that the only intervention they received from the municipality was when municipal workers arrived to scatter some chlorine in the street following Mkhwebane’s visit.
“We are living in the stench and filth on a daily basis. We are forced to share our living space with animals as the farmers nearby are letting their pigs roam in the street. The pigs feast on the garbage and swim in the sewage. The pigs even sometimes give birth to their piglets inside the pools of sewage. That is very unhygienic. We are also fearful that one of the pigs might attack one of the young children in the street,” they said.
One of the affected residents, Pastor Andries Douland, said his church is situated right next to an overflowing manhole, which has now resulted in a big pool of sewage.
“The municipality allocated the land on which the church is erected to us about 10 years ago. Shortly after the church was erected we experienced the sewage overflowing from the manhole. We reported the matter and in the beginning the municipal workers used to come and unblock the manhole. They would even cut the long grass. After some months, they stopped coming and the matter escalated and has gotten unbearable. We now have to praise and worship in the stench. It is very embarrassing as a church leader when people come to visit your church,” said Douland.
Seventy-year-old Katriena Kotze, who has a manhole in her backyard, said the constant blockage has caused numerous arguments with neighbours.
“The sewage from the blocked manhole runs from my yard into the street then into the yards of my neighbours. Some of my neighbours have blamed me for the problem and I have explained that I cannot control the flow of the sewage. I am also affected by the problem. This problem has been continuing for many years and I have laid numerous complaints at the municipality. They usually just open the lid of the manhole and then work on it in order for the sewage to subside, but it seems like there is no permanent solution to it,” said Kotze.
Another resident, Reneey Paaitjies, said both Mkhwebane and President Cyril Ramaphosa were disgusted by the living conditions of the residents.
“The president visited the area and he sternly told the then mayor that it was a shame that residents are forced to live in such conditions while there is a functioning municipality with manpower to deal with these matters. The public protector also instructed the municipality to gravel the street as it is impossible for one to walk in this street. We have to hop over puddles of sewage in the street. The elderly people in this street have restricted access to movement. It is sad that leaders from far can recognise that people need urgent intervention with regards to basic services, but our local leaders cannot be moved to action,” said Paaitjies.
Mkhwebana, during her site visit to Greenpoint, instructed the municipality to take urgent action in addressing the service delivery problems in the area.
“Residents in Greenpoint live in squalor with sewage flooding the streets and flowing into backyards. Apart from the sewage, the municipality has failed to enforce by-laws in relation to sprawling pig farms adjacent to residences, which are in operation despite the area not having been zoned for livestock farming. We have instructed the municipality to intervene in the matter and they should enforce their by-laws to those farmers with livestock,” said Mkhwebane at the time.
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie said the constant flushing of foreign objects into the sewerage system has resulted in major blockage problems.
“We are not putting the blame of flushing of foreign objects on the entire community, but there are many community members who are guilty of this practice. We had to remove blankets, car batteries and baby nappies from our sewerage system. These objects block the system and result in some residents suffering the brunt of the blockages,” he said.
Matsie said that to “gravel” the area would only be a temporary solution.
“The municipality will look at the problem in Greenpoint, but to gravel the street would be a temporary solution. The ground will still be wet and the sewage might seep through the gravel. The blockages of the sewerage system is a problem in the entire city and we need to look at a permanent solution for everyone,” he said.
