Leaking sewage crisis, a major concern for Burgersfort residents
BURGERSFORT
A leaking manhole and sewage is a huge concern for communities at Burgersfort’s Ext 10 informal settlement. Residents say they live in damp, squalor, and with a terrible stench, as a result of broken sewerage pipes and leaking drains.
These residents from Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality’s Ward 18 said the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) should pull up their socks and take responsibility.
“We reported this matter to the SDM about three years ago, but nobody bothers to fix the pipes. It looks like we are wasting our time in reporting this matter as the problem has still not been addressed,” said resident, Alfred Moagi.
He added, “The situation is bad. The problem started with leaking pipes. We later noticed that it was accompanied by an unpleasant smell. It was then that we discovered that it was water containing human waste from leaking pipes”.
Another concerned parent said, “When it is hot, it feels as if you are sitting in a dirty toilet. As a parent, what worries me is the health of our children.
“When we are at work, no one is monitoring them. Sometimes you find them playing in the dirty water from the leaking pipes. It is not healthy and they could get infected by diseases .”
Locals said it is difficult to enjoy their meals in the evenings as the stench get worse. Residents have instead, resorted to avoid being at their homes.
A health practitioner from Limpopo department of health, who is not authorized to speak to the media said diarrhea is caused by direct contact with sewage, which also causes stomach cramps and vomiting.
“Sewage leaks may contaminates the water with eColi, salmonella, and cholera. In some cases, people may need to rush to hospitals.”
The expert urged the community members to prevent children from playing near the area where there is sewage leak and to continue to boil their drinking water.
Queries about the leaking sewage were forwarded to the spokesperson for SDM, Lemson Morapjane. At the time of going to print, the SDM was yet to respond.
