By Rorisang Modiba
- Block C residents in Mamelodi say a sewage blockage that started on 1 November was ignored for four days, leaving families in filthy conditions.
- The community wants the City of Tshwane to cut its seven-day service policy to 24 hours for sewage problems.
Residents of Mamelodi’s Block C hostels say they were forced to live with unbearable conditions after a sewage blockage left raw waste flowing through their yards.
The blockage began on Saturday, 1 November, but was only fixed by the City of Tshwane on Wednesday. For four days, families lived with the smell and health risks caused by the overflowing sewage.
Lesufi, a 75-year-old resident, said the situation was terrible. “The conditions were bad because children would play on the sewage in the dirt,” he said. “It brought sicknesses and it smelled bad.”
Residents say this is not the first time sewage problems have been ignored. They blame the City’s service charter, which gives officials up to seven days to attend to reported blockages.
Another resident said he is tired of the poor living conditions. “I have kids that go to school and these are unhealthy conditions,” he said.
“We continue to tolerate the stink and unhealthy conditions of sewage flowing in our yards and streets,” said another resident. “Workers say they will come, but no immediate action is taken.”
Although the blockage was eventually cleared, the community says the damage was already done. Photos show sewage flooding the hostel yards where children play, creating serious health risks.
Residents are now calling for an urgent review of the City’s policy, demanding that sewage blockages be fixed within 24 hours instead of seven days.
Pictured above: Sewage flooding yards in Mamelodi’s Block C hostels.
Image source: Supplied
