Sewage spillage green dam a health hazard for residents
LEEUWFONTEIN – The ever overflowing sewerage system in Leeuwfontein, especially, near the construction site of the sports complex in the area outside Marble Hall is a serious cause for concern for those residing nearby.
Despite continuous attention to the problem by water services workers, the system persistently overflows on the first access road into the settlement from the Marble Hall side, rendering it unusable for motorists who have been forced to utilize an invalid passage to maneuver around the sewage flow deposits dam at a junction.
Nearby residents complained that the situation from the green deposits dam of the sewage spill posed a serious danger to their health on a daily basis.
The affected residents added that the stench from the green dam at the junction caused by the sewage spillage sent out a terrible stench into their homes and believed that had an adverse impact on their health.
The residents of the Township have for years been without access to running water and they put blame on Sekhukhune District Municipality’s (SDM)s failure to provide them water for the dysfunctional state of the sewerage system.
Several times they have taken to the streets in fierce protests, barricading roads with burning tyres, tree branches and trunks as well as rocks to register their grievances to the district municipality over their predicament over lack of access to water.
Despite all efforts including staging protest actions at the office of Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha in Polokwane and the SDM Executive Mayor, Stanley Ramaila’s, offices in Groblersdal, the residents remain without access to water in spite of the many promises to attend to their water debacles by both offices.
“We are really suffering from this situation. We can’t enjoy food anymore; I mean how can one do so in this terrible stench rising from the sewage. There is a serious need for permanent solution to this problem so that we can continue living our healthy lives. This is totally unhygienic and poses a serious threat to our health. It must be really having an adverse impact on our health,” said an affected resident who requested to remain anonymous.
Seun Mogotji, Bolsheviks Party of South Africa Leader (BPSA), said his party noted with disappointment the failure of SDM to come up with a permanent solution for the problematic sewerage system in Leeuwfontein.
Mogotji pointed out that the sewerage system has been overflowing for quite a long time and it was very disturbing to see the district municipality not doing anything regarding the matter because it has turned into a health hazard.
“The party calls on SDM to see to it that a permanent solution for this is found and it is implemented on an urgent basis. The people of Leeuwfontein cannot afford to live in such a terrible environment whereby their health is at risk,” concluded Mogotji.
When asked if the district municipality was aware of the matter and if there was anything done about it, Isaac Mahlakwane, Acting SDM Mayoral Spokesperson, said the municipality was aware of the situation as indicated.
Mahlakwane said their team of officials has been tasked to intervene immediately and attend to the sewerage blocking system.
He added that the permanent solution to the problem required the upgrading of the Leeuwfontein sewer system as the old system was illegally tempered with by the residents.
