By Zolani Tyali
FOR the past 20 years residents of Govan Mbeki kasi in Port Elizabeth have been troubled by water that comes up from underground.
Residents of Phehlegard Street and Mbeki Road said their streets had turned into rivers.
As a result, motorists had to avoid a huge pothole caused by the water.
Nombeko Fulani (54) of Phehlegard Street told Daily Kasi News the problem started in 1999.
“Our yards and houses are always wet,” said Nombeko.
“I cut the grass and dig trenches. The water attracts mosquitoes and frogs.”
He said municipal workers couldn’t explain where the water came from.
“They come with their big machines to check where it comes from,” said Nombeko.
“Our water pipes don’t leak and the sewerage system works just fine. They’ve not found the cause of this problem.”
Her neighbour Mxolisi Matiso (62) said no one knew where the water came from.
“My yard is always wet. A big pothole in front of my house caused by this water damages vehicles,” he said.
“There’s also a leak in my yard. It’s been going on for more than a year now. But my water meter is not affected.”
DK News tried to get an explanation from Nelson Mandela Bay spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki.
He said he couldn’t comment until he had spoken with the sewerage team.
But Mniki had not answered the DK Team’s e-mails, SMSes and phone calls at the time of going to published.
Daily Kasi News 