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Ndzuzo Street residents, in Nomzamo, are living in deplorable conditions and according to one of them, they will not vote in the upcoming elections if the municipality fails to clean the sewage in their street.
The problem has consistently happened for more than three years with no end in sight according to the community.
Resident Cindy Kope described their living conditions as appalling. She said since the establishment of Robben Island informal settlement, opposite their area, they never rested.
“Robben Island residents built their shacks in the pond. So all the dirty water that is supposed to go into the pond moves into the streets!”
Kope claimed the City employees used to clean the sewage but not anymore. She added that motorists no longer use the street due to its appalling condition.
“It is bad. No normal person can stay under these conditions. However, we stay because we don’t have any other place to go.”
Kope claimed her husband developed asthma due to the “unbearable stench” and filthy water around the neighbourhood. “I don’t see the point of our voting, especially here in our street. I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to vote if we have to continue living like this. The whole area stinks like a latrine.”
She appealed to the government officials to move into their street for a day to get a firsthand experience of their challenges.
The City’s mayco member for water and sanitation Zahid Bardroodien said the department is aware of the sewerage spillage incidents in Nomzamo.
“The City’s Water and Sanitation operations team has been working at Michael and Lonja Streets in Nomzamo since 31 March 2024 to clear the sewer blockages. We extend our apologies for any inconvenience caused. The blockage is caused by blankets, vehicle tyres, rags, sand and other foreign waste objects in the sewer network. A Water and Sanitation operations team is currently on site as work continues to unblock the sewer system,” said Badroodien.
He said the sewer systems are designed to only convey human waste, greywater and toilet paper. He stated that any other solid substances will eventually cause blockages and overflows.
“The sewer system should only be used in the way it was designed to function to profoundly reduce the number of blockages and overflows. The City has education and awareness campaigns about illegal dumping into the sewer system, including our Bin it, Don’t Block It Campaign,” he stated.
Badroodien appealed to residents and community leaders to use the available resources on the City’s website to join in efforts to raise awareness. “At the end of the day, the City cannot practically police what residents flush down the toilet or wash down their sinks, so it is up to communities to take responsibility. Let us work together to prevent sewer blockages,” he concluded.
