A putrid smell of human waste fills the air, as sewage flows down FW Beyers, Barry Hertzog Park.
For more than a week, residents in the area have been forced to drive their vehicles through the flowing sewage leak. The waste splashing onto their vehicles.
While motorists find themselves trying to manoeuvre through the waste, pedestrians find themselves facing an even greater health hazard.
“It is very unhealthy, especially since a person has to walk past and sometimes through the leak to get to the stores or to school,” says Sinehlanhla Tshabalala.
Concerned about the health risk the leak poses to pedestrians and school children, as well as to students at the nearby college, Tshabalala feels the issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
“The matter has been reported to the municipality, but it has been leaking for about a week already,” she says.
Head of Communications at Newcastle Municipality, Dr Dumisani Thabethe, says the matter will be investigated.
“A team will be sent out as soon as possible to resolve the matter,” he concludes.
