Sol leaves residents with ’swimming pool of sewage’

RESIDENTS in Hull Street in Kimberley are at their wits’ end due to the “blatantly irresponsible” Sol Plaatje Municipality. This after being left with a large sewage hole, about two metres deep, that runs across their respective backyards.

Two of the residents, who are neighbours, said that municipal employees left them with the hole full of overflowing sewage after they reported a sewage leak to the local authority.

Vincent du Plessis said the problem started over 10 months.

“We have been having this problem since December 2021. We reported a sewage leak and the municipal workers came in Easter this year to fix the problem. They dug a deep hole in my yard, but could not get to the leak as it was located in the yard of the person staying adjacent to me. The sewage first flooded the yard of that neighbour, then it flowed into the yard of the person staying behind me and later it flooded my yard. The municipal workers left a heap of sand and a deep hole in my yard and did not fix the problem. I was then left with a swimming pool of sewage in my backyard,” said Du Plessis.

He added that they have reported the matter several times and even had different political parties promising to solve the problem ahead of the ward elections.

“The mayor, accompanied by municipal employees, were at my house before the Ward 21 elections. The mayor promised that he would fix the problem and there were even pictures taken of the sewage pool. Other political parties also came and promised that they would fix the problem. All those people disappeared after the elections and we are still sitting with the stench. We have reported the matter several times, but the problem gets registered as a blocked drain, which it is not.”

Du Plessis said the hole has made life miserable.

“We are not able to go into the backyard as it is easy to slip and fall into that deep sewage pool. We cannot open my bedroom window as the sewage pool is right next to my window. The smell fills the entire house. We cannot even have guests over as it is embarrassing to explain why we are living in such stench,” he sighed.

Du Plessis’ neighbour, Zanozuko Magama, was also left with a big sewage hole in his backyard.

“The municipal workers dug a hole that runs from my yard across to my neighbour’s (Du Plessis) yard. My family is unable to access or use the backyard. Our laundry line is located in the backyard, but ever since this problem started we have been unable to make use of it. I have two young children, aged 12 and six years old, who we have to repeatedly warn and watch that they do not play near the hole. It is irresponsible of the municipal workers to leave us in such a state,” Magama said.

He added that the sewage pool is a health risk.

“This pool of sewage is not only a danger, but can also hamper our health. We have to constantly breathe in fumes of stench. It does not matter in which room of the house you are in, you are not spared from the stench. That is unhygienic and unhealthy. The weather conditions are also not assisting as there are bugs and flies roaming and buzzing around that hole.”

Magama blamed Sol Plaatje for making matters worse.

“We reported a problem and the municipal workers only ended up making the matter worse. They did not fix it at all and till today refuse to take any responsibility for their appalling actions. They do not even try to rectify the mess they have caused. It is unacceptable that people get paid to deliver a service to residents, then end up being the problem. We are now left to suffer,” he sighed.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said they would send a team to assess the problem.

Riet urged municipal workers to conclude their duties thoroughly.

“Workers must ensure they close holes properly after they have attended to a matter or after they have completed their work. Leaving open holes can be hazardous to the workers as well as the public. We will send a team to assess the problem and come up with a suitable remedy,” said Riet.