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E. Cape residents decry sewage smell

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Residents of Old Location in Elliot in the Eastern Cape want government intervention in addressing sanitation problems they are experiencing in the area.

Raw sewage from blocked and burst pipes gets in their yards and houses and causes an unbearable stink to the whole township.

They claim they’ve reported the matter to their ward councillor whom they accuse of not taking their grievances seriously.

Raw sewage is scattered in each and every street at the Old Location Township in Elliot, with each household having sewage passing through.

The whole area stinks like sewage which some residents believe is a health hazard to them and their children.

Some houses are damp and stinky, while others are on the verge of collapse.

Residents have now resorted to opening holes at the bottom of their walls so that the water can pass through.

There are also residents who claim that they contracted TB and other diseases due to the conditions under which they live.

“Both my wife and I are on TB treatment. We were healthy when we came to stay in this area in 2006. My child had some rash and I took him to the doctor who confirmed that it’s because of the water he drinks and the area we reside in. Even my other daughter was infested with worms and the same doctor said it’s the water we drink and the place we stay in is very dirty.”

Chris Hani District Municipality claims the sanitation problem in the area is historic. They claim that residents built their houses on top of sewage pipes passing through the area.

“People then moved from rural areas and they decided come to town. When they came here they built their houses on top of the infrastructure and that caused a serious problem. As a result, you will find that our pipes are not supposed to be disturbed. They are supposed to be straight and as such, now they are not like that. They are bending and that is not making the free flow of everything that is supposed to go. We do have discussions with the Department of Human Settlements. So, we are going to acquire space where we are going to request the people that are living in this particular area to go into that space and after that we are going to make it a point that we revamp this infrastructure.”

The municipality claims a contractor has already been appointed to fix the blocked and leaking sewage pipes at Old Location. The company is expected to assume the work by Monday next week.

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