Ncedisa Mhloni is is not happy with the service from the Fezeka Municipal office.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Seventy-two-year-old diabetic mother, Thozama Mhloni, spends her days and nights scooping water in her bedroom. The Mhloni family has been living in a house full of water and floating poo.
Image: Phiri Cawe
For more than a week, a Gugulethu NY 111 family has had fetid water flowing into their home due to a sewage spill in the area.
The Mhlonis say they have reported the matter to the water and sanitation department but nothing is being done.
“After numerous calls and unfulfilled promises, we even went to the Fezeka municipal offices after many promises that they will be coming to fix the drain. This problem has been happening for years. They would come and fix it but it happens now and then. We are fed-up of this poor service that we are receiving from the City," said Ncedisa Mhloni.
The family has to step through the sewage water to access the house. They said the stench during the day is better because all the windows and doors are open. But come night, they cannot breathe. “We must wake at 3am to sweep out the water and we are forced to open the windows because it is hard to breathe. Remember we have a 72-year-old who is diabetic,” she told Vukani.
Only the Mhloni family is affected in the street. “When this happened before, we were told that the problem is the underground pipe that needs to be changed. However, those who were here said they cannot dig unless they have a go-ahead from the higher echelons. But again, what nonsense is that because we are losing a lot. The cupboards, washing machines and stoves are affected. Surely they will not work again. We cannot cook and we have to rely on our sister who is KTC. She must cook for us and bring it. That is a daily occurrence,” said the angry Ms Mhloni.
The City’s Mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said his teams are working hard to sort out a stubborn blockage at NY119, Gugulethu, which is linked to the sewer pipeline in NY111. “Sewer blockages are unfortunately a common challenge as foreign objects are regularly dumped into the sewer system which causes these difficult blockages. It is important to keep in mind that a blockage may be located elsewhere, requiring the team to work at a different point to where the block is. Once the blockage is cleared, the team will clean up and disinfect the affected resident’s house. The City regrets the inconvenience,” he said.
While the teams are struggling to unblock the pipeline, the Mhloni family will face more days with sewage floating in their home.