“You are lucky if you can get through to the call centre and get a reference number. But when you phone back in a week’s time, they don’t know about the reference number.”
RESIDENTS of Lerato Park’s phase 1 flats have added their voices to the ongoing complaints regarding overflowing sewage and blocked drains in the city.
These residents said on Monday that the disgusting stench of raw sewage had made them prisoners in their homes as they were unable to open their windows or doors.
They said they had been complaining about their blocked drains to the Sol Plaatje Municipality for the past four months but were told that there was only one truck available.
“According to the municipality, the only working truck is in Ritchie,” a resident of the flats told the DFA on Monday.
The residents pointed out that when they flush their toilets, the sewage water bubbled up through their kitchen drains.
“The whole block of flats is affected,” said the residents.
They added that numerous calls to the call centre failed to elicit a response from the municipality.
“You are lucky if you can get through to the call centre and get a reference number. But when you phone back in a week’s time, they don’t know about the reference number.”
The municipality indicated on Monday that it had been inundated with calls, specifically relating to blocked sewerage drains in the city.
Municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, said complaints were responded to and acted on as swiftly as possible.
“Our municipal truck, together with our team, responded to a blocked drain in Lerato Park phase 1 three weeks ago,” Riet told the DFA.
She added that it was not true, however, that there was only one truck available which was based in Ritchie.
“Ritchie has its own truck that services the entire Ritchie area and Kimberley has a number of trucks that are used to unblock drains in the city,” she said.
Riet also pointed out that the municipality was here to serve its communities, adding that this was the primary duty of the municipality.
“We urge residents to continue calling the control room or call centre directly in order for their calls to be recorded, and to provide proof of their inquiry.
“They must also ensure that they receive a reference number relating to their inquiry,” she added.
