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Intensive infrastructure maintenance work currently underway in KwaZakhele’s most affected areas, including Bhudaza and Stofile streets, is bearing positive results with challenges of sanitation blockages, bursts and leaks improving daily.
KwaZakhele is one of the areas severely affected by the challenges of the sanitation system caused by aging infrastructure, throwing of foreign objects into the sanitation system, vandalism, and stealing of metal material like manhole lids and valves. Earlier this year the metro started a multi-million rand project of unblocking the main sanitation line in KwaZakhele, as Stofile Street was already blocked due to vandalism and foreign objects.
The metro has now started work in Bhudaza Street. On Wednesday, November 15, the Mayoral Committee Member for Infrastructure and Engineering, Khanya Ngqisha, visited the Bhudaza Street site to do oversight work.
The intention was to monitor progress and encourage contractors on site to work with speed, as the metro is expecting more pressure on its sanitation system due to the increase in numbers of people who will be coming to the city for the festive season holidays.
The sanitation pipeline was damaged, leading to a compromised load-bearing capacity. This was identified in early October 2023.
Initially, it was thought to be a blockage, but high pressure water jetting proved ineffective. Excavations commenced at the point of collapse, in an attempt to repair the sewer pipeline.
“Our visit here follows numerous complaints about sewage blockages within the township. It was monitored that the contracted work wasn’t being performed effectively, as the community was still experiencing sewage blockages,” said Ngqisha. “We call upon our communities to protect municipal infrastructure and report any vandalism to the nearest municipal office or police station.”
A bypass pump has been placed on-site to ensure continuous movement of the sewage from upstream, to allow for the repairs to be completed without any disruptions.
The work is ongoing and anticipated to be completed by the end of November.
