Interdict prevents demolition of 'sewage house'

AN URGENT interim interdict obtained by a property owner to prevent the demolition of flats in Nobengula Street, Galeshewe, is reportedly preventing Sol Plaatje Municipality from addressing overflowing sewage in Wards 17 and 31.

The landlord, Odirile Sehako, approached the court on April 26, citing loss of income and is claiming costs from the municipality to repair the building.

In her judgment, Judge Mpho Mamosebo prohibited the municipality - as well as any of its contractors or employees - from damaging the erf or demolishing the property.

Ward 17 councillor and former Speaker, Nomazizi Maputle, said this week that sewage was flowing into her home and others in the area.

“I know that I am the councillor, but there is no information as to how this mess will be fixed. It is extremely smelly, and there is drain water mixed with the sewage,” she said.

Sol Plaatje Speaker Dipuo Peters highlighted the importance of obtaining proper approval and authorisation before constructing a building.

“Sol Plaatje Local Municipality’s sanitation division cannot resolve the problem because the homeowner is obstinate,” she stated.

Peters added that two manholes were broken and a house had to be demolished.

“This inconveniences the entire community depending on that pipeline. We have engaged the owner of these flats since the beginning of April.”

She noted that damage was caused to water, electricity, and sanitation infrastructure - at great cost to the municipality.

“The sewerage pipeline is right beneath the flats. Communities in Wards 17 and 31 are being affected by sewage issues,” said Peters.

She added that the municipality offered alternative accommodation to the tenants around April 14.

“The homeowner refused. The municipal manager also tried to engage with him, but he apparently refused all efforts to resolve the situation.”

The municipality has until June 6 to show cause why the interim interdict should not be made a final order by the court.

Sehako said there was an RDP house and two flats located behind the main house.

“Without warning, municipal workers came to dig around the RDP house on April 12 and returned on April 13 to dig around the flats. They ended up demolishing one of the structures, as one of the sewerage pipes lies eight metres deep,” he explained.

He stated that he had invested significantly in the property and claimed the building plans were approved.

“I will not accept anything less than R300,000 in compensation before allowing the buildings to be demolished. I had to pay an architect and purchase all the building materials. A carport, which can accommodate two vehicles, will also have to be demolished,” he said.

Sehako claimed that the municipality had only offered him R94,000 for the property he said was valued at R190,000.

“You can’t even buy a shack for R94,000,” he remarked.

He added that the tenants were forced to evacuate the flats due to the accumulation of sewage water around the buildings.

“I haven’t been able to charge rent because of the stinking water. The municipality declared the flats unsafe and only paid for the tenants to stay one night at a guest house. They are now searching for other accommodation, even though they signed lease agreements.”

According to Sehako, one of the flats has since collapsed due to the persistent presence of sewage water.

“It smells like hell and has damaged part of the property because the ground is constantly wet. I can’t even build a boundary wall around the premises because of the water. The workers abandoned the site in that condition over the Easter weekend - and again on Workers’ Day.”