By Phumlani Saul
Sewage is stinking up Mase Street in Kwazakhele, with the foul-smelling waste flowing down the entire road.
Residents have had to brave the stench every day for years as at least four outside household drains keep blocking, leading the sewage to stream down the street.
In some cases, the sewage seeps out of bathtub drain holes, leaving residents desperate for hPersistent water leaks are also a problem in Mase Street.
A Metro Matters team managed to find the street while driving in Kwazakhele as the pungent smell gets worse the closer you get to the street.
Residents have been struggling for months to get the municipality to attend to the blocked drains.Siphokazi Ndamase said his grandfather’s medical condition was getting worse due to the problem.She has reported the issue to the metro for several years.
“Ward office officials and plumbers would come to check but then never return,” she said.
The blockages are sporadic and often stop for a few days every month.
Claude Ndamase said he grew up in the street and the problem had been going on for years.Due to the years of leaking, the floors of his family home had started to crumble and paint was peeling off the walls.He said the house’s foundation had also been damaged.
“For years, we had been living like this. The house is cold and always moist.
“It is very frustrating as we watch our home destroyed with little to nothing we can do,” Ndamase said.
He said several calls had been made to the municipality and different reference numbers would just be given.
“I had to dig trenches inside the garden for the sewage water to run down the street.
“We live with our sickly grandfather and we are worried about his health,” he said.
Ndamase said human waste would often run down the street.
“We are living and breathing this in every day.
“Sometimes we would be told the problem is connected to a main sewerage pipe and that we must wait,” he said.
His neighbour, Nomveliso Tyala, who has a blocked backyard drain, said his house was always filled with flies and mosquitos.
“This is getting worse. I don’t know how many times we have reported the matter to the metro.”
She said for years residents had been reporting the issue to different ward councillors.
“We live in filth and no-one should live like this.
“We can’t open windows and our gardens are full of water.
“It’s even difficult to walk down the street.”
Ward 19 councillor Gamalihleli Maqula said he was aware of the problem and had escalated the issue.
“I was alerted about the matter this year and told it’s been a problem for years.
“I have informed the relevant departments and they are busy with a plan to solve the issue,” he said.
Municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki did not respond to a request for comment.
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