Sewage spillage has become a nightmare for residents in Seweding and Ramosadi Villages in Mahikeng.
After a month of sewage burst, the residents protested last week at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, urging them to fix the burst sewer pipe that continues to emit foul odours in their areas.
Among the frustrated residents, Thuto Thagakane voiced his concerns. He pointed out that the municipality consistently takes excessive time to address the residents' pressing issues.
He further indicated that the foul odour is a severe health hazard to the elderly and children. Thagakane pointed out that the noxious odour is not only affecting the community's health but also causing sewage to overflow into their yards.
"Our health is at risk due to this hazardous situation," said Thagakane.
He raised valid questions about the municipality's approach to safeguarding critical infrastructure. Thagakane's disappointment was evident as he criticised that the sewer pipe burst due to its age, suggesting a lack of proactive maintenance.
Meanwhile, Khumalo Molefe, the Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, responded to the residents' grievances. Molefe acknowledged that they are diligently working to repair the sewer pipe, but cautioned that the solution would be temporary since it is made of asbestos and requires replacement.
"The replacement of this 6km sewer pipeline is imminent," Molefe stated. "However, the municipality requires approximately R65 million for this project. We initially engaged with the Ramosadi and Seweding communities, severely impacted by the burst sewer pipeline. Many homes were inundated with sewage, jeopardizing the health of our residents. We extend our sincere apologies for this incident."
Molefe explained that negotiations with the community were protracted, mainly due to the contractor initially leaving the site during the protests. However, efforts have been made to rectify this situation.
"We've successfully convinced the contractor to return to the site, and we've also expanded our team with additional engineers to expedite the repairs," Molefe added. "While some detractors may seek to exploit the situation for political or personal gain, the community has identified them and is committed to ensuring the sewer pipeline is fixed."
In the short term, the municipality plans to monitor the situation closely and deploy a mobile clinic to provide immediate assistance. Additionally, they are securing additional equipment to support the contractor. In the medium to long term, a decision has been made to replace the 6km pipeline despite the significant cost.
Molefe concluded by acknowledging the financial challenges but reassured the community that the government is working collaboratively to secure the necessary funds. They are also committed to improving asset and record management while planning to replace ageing infrastructure.
