Leeuhof community members have complained about rats as big as cats running around in their yards because of Emfuleni Municipality’s sewage problems and continued illegal dumping. 

The illegal dumping sites result from the waste department’s failure to collect waste properly. Waste was last collected properly in Vereeniging CBD about a month ago, and the municipality claims this is due to the lack of cars for collection.

“Vereeniging is recognised as a city but unfortunately the residents of Vereeniging live like people … in squatter camps or informal dwellings if not worse,” said local ward Cllr Prudence Hlanyanye.

“Even from sight, when you look at Vereeniging nothing is appealing and appeasing, we have a whole lot of dumping sites which are a result of lack of waste collection, as we speak we are going on our sixth week without proper refuse collection.”

The biggest challenge now is because of the waste we find ourselves with a growing number of rats in the city, she said. “We had an incident where one resident passed on in their home and unfortunately they were eaten by rats.”

Vaalweekblad reports the body of a man (42) was devoured by rats after he died at his home in Leeuhof. The younger brother of the deceased arrived home from work and found his brother’s lifeless body inside their home with rats already on his body.

Rooiwal residents are suffering from a cricket infestation. Photo supplied

Cars move away from the road as the garbage is flooding the road, and families living near corners are living a nightmare, leading to a lot of social and health problems, said Hlanyane.

Meanwhile, Rooiwal residents are suffering from a cricket infestation. They reported that the black and purple crickets had taken over their surroundings, invading their homes, their clothes, and especially their bedding. 

Gemsbok reports one man is recovering after he was bitten severely by the crickets and required medical attention. Gerhard van Wyk (47) showed that the right side of his face was covered in lumps. One of his eyes was swollen shut, and the lumps were extremely painful.

Emfuleni municipality spokesperson, Mojalefa Chuchi said, “Regarding the rat infestation issue, we have a record of a private waste recycler in Leeuhof who has been storing waste in his yard.”

“Unfortunately, this act led to an infestation in the community. As soon as the matter came to our attention, we then intervened and notified the Department of Health.”

The municipality also received reports from the water and sanitation department that they are currently dealing with the huge sewage blockage that’s affecting almost all of Leeuhof. They say the biggest issue is that this particular blockage needs specialised equipment, he said. 

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh