MDANTSANE- Residents and business owners in Ward 17, Mdantsane have raised concerns over persistent sewerage overflows into the streets, creating unbearable conditions and negatively affecting daily life and businesses in the area.
The problem has reportedly been ongoing for some time with residents complaining about a strong and unpleasant odour spreading throughout the neighbourhood.
Community members emphasised that the sewerage overflow is affecting local businesses, as some customers are avoiding the area because of the unpleasant smell and poor conditions.
According to residents, the matter has been reported to the local municipality on several occasions.
However, they say they have not received any feedback or seen action to resolve the problem.Meanwhile, residents and business owners continue to live and operate in the affected area while waiting for the municipality to intervene.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) has confirmed that the municipality is aware of the sewerage overflow in Ward 17, Mdantsane and says the problem has since been fully resolved.
According to the municipality, operational teams were dispatched after the matter was reported by residents.
BCMM said its teams generally respond to reported blockages within a target 48 hour operational window.
In addition, community members expressed concern about the impact of the sewage overflow on the cleanliness and overall condition of the neighbourhood.
The municipality added that although the major repair took longer than routine maintenance the pipe replacement was successfully completed and the sewerage flow restored.
Democratic Alliance (DA) candidate Landile Vika said he was contacted by concerned residents who are calling for an urgent intervention.
“The residents of Ward 17 have raised serious concerns about sewage flowing into the streets and the unbearable smell affecting the community,” said Vika. “This issue has been reported to the municipality, but residents say there has been no response or visible action. Business owners are also suffering losses because customers cannot tolerate the conditions. The community deserves a clean and healthy environment, and this matter requires urgent attention,” he added.
BCMM also apologised to residents and business owners affected by the sewage overflow and unpleasant odour while the repairs were being carried out.
“The municipality sincerely apologises to affected residents and business owners for the discomfort and unpleasant odour experienced while technical teams and service providers worked to resolve this complex pipe failure.”
However, sewage and sanitation problems remain a challenge in some township areas, where infrastructure blockages, ageing systems and maintenance delays can contribute to sewage overflows.
In addition, the municipality added that technical assessments found that the problem was caused by a structural pipe failure, which required the appointment of a specialised service provider to replace the damaged line.
“The specific issue in Ward 17 has been fully resolved. Technical assessments identified a structural pipe failure that necessitated engaging a specialised service provider to replace the line,” said BCMM.
The municipality has confirmed that the sewage problem has been resolved, while residents and business owners remain hopeful that the repairs will prevent further overflows and restore clean and safe conditions in Ward 17.
Courtesy of IMAGE: Supplied
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