‘We live like caged animals, trapped by sewage’

Homeowners in Khayelitsha, a residential section of Komani’s oldest township, Mlungisi, have accused the Chris Hani District Municipality of exposing them to health risks, with rawsewageflowing through their streets and yards for almost two months. Residents say overflowing drains and blockedsewerlines have left them living in unbearable conditions, with the stench forcing families to keep windows shut while swarms of flies gather around their homes. Pensioner Nomava Mgca said the problem started about seven weeks ago and had steadily worsened.

“We do not know what the problem is or what causes these drains to get blocked or overflow with raw sewage,” she said. “But what we know is that there was a truck from the district municipality that came and dug into the ground in this area. “They said something about the sewer from other residential sections like Newvale being diverted to use underground pipes that go past Khayelitsha.

“They said a smaller underground pipe had been installed. “The unfortunate part is that we now live like caged animals and are unable to even get out of our yards.” We are now living in fear that we might end up contracting illnesses that might lead to skin conditions or serious diseases that are water-borne, if this is not addressed as a matter of urgency Mgca said residents had repeatedly reported the matter to the municipality, but the interventions had failed to solve the problem. “Sometimes they come and clean up but within three to four hours, the sewage, a mixture of human excretion and other things like used diapers, resurfaces again. “We are now living in fear that we might end up contracting illnesses that might lead to skin conditions or serious diseases that are water-borne, if this is not addressed as a matter of urgency,” Mgca said.