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Turning off Hardwick Street, residents living in one of Newcastle, KZN’s old railway homes find themselves dealing with an unrelatable sewage issue.
One resident’s yard now lays laden with human waste. Virtually submerged in sewage, the residents’ have had to invent creative ways to enter and exit their home and yard to avoid wading through the filth.
Forced to live with the ever-growing pool of sewage in his yard, Sithembiso Mbongwe explains that leaking wastewater has been an issue since January 2021. This, he points out, is despite the fact that the Newcastle Municipality has been contacted.
“It has become worse over the past two months, with the sewage filling our yard every time it rains. It has reached the point, that even when the rain subsides, the sewage levels do not drop in our yard.”
Mbongwe and the home’s other occupants now use rocks, crates and boards to try to get in and out of their home. “The Newcastle Municipality does not seem to be working, as we live worse than animals. We pay our rent and other bills, but get almost no service.”
The pool of filth has grown to such a level that it is now flowing into Mbongwe’s neighbour’s yard while also gathering next to the home on a vacant plot of land, affecting motorists and pedestrians.
Addressing the matter, Cllr Bertie Meiring explains that the cause of the massive sewage leak is due to the Ayliff Street Sewer pump station not working.
“A contractor was appointed and a new pump must be procured,” he says, highlighting that repair work is expected to start soon to resolve the issue.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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2 Responses
Why can’t the waste be suctioned up and be deposited at the sewerage farm.
Councilors should do their jobs. Honeysucker is available to drain the area. Finances should not be an excuse. Residents in the area should stop paying for services until the matter is resolved.