This after the municipality confirmed that it is buckling under the pressure of collapsed sewerage lines as a result of rubble being thrown into manholes. The Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s communication officer, Thokozile Nkuna, says the blocked manholes contribute immensely to the already strained sewerage system that is impacting negatively, as seen in all wards.

The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) recently approached the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to intervene at the municipality which they claim has failed to clear sewage spillages that have subjected residents to horrible smells and other health hazards.

ALSO READ: F4SD approaches HRC over service delivery in Matjhabeng

Nkuna explains that after the new administration took office, one of the issues that received priority was the sewerage challenge.

"Upon embarking on a road show earlier this year to assess the municipality's infrastructure, which includes sewerage plants and pump stations, it was found that out of 11 treatment plants, only 3 are working, and of the 56 pump stations in the municipality, only 4 are working. The council declared Matjhabeng a disaster in that regard and sought assistance from the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. The national ministry then committed R524 million while the provincial government pledged R68 million to address the sewerage challenge," adds Nkuna.

Nkuna says the municipality recently had a massive unblocking initiative which was undertaken under the facilitation of the Executive Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, where foreign objects were found inside the manholes, including rocks and plastic bottles. This after Bloem Water was appointed as the service provider under the intervention of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation to unblock manholes.

Nkuna urged residents to refrain from throwing foreign objects into the manholes to assist with the task of returning the infrastructure to a functional and efficient state.

She adds that recently, not only did these objects present a challenge for the appointed service providers, Bloem Water, it also indicated that the protection of municipal infrastructure is a collective effort. Nkuna further urged residents to report anyone seen throwing rubble into the manholes to law enforcement officers.

"We all need to stand together and work towards a cleaner and safer environment," she said.

OFM News