THE sewerage pipe running from Ilitha to Zwelitsha in King William’s Town was installed 11 years ago, and runs past Ndevana Village, Berlin.
But what was supposed to be a service delivery blessing turned into hell for the Tolbati family.
A drain in front of their yard has left them breathing in the kak smell ever since.
Gogo Wawi Tolbati (76) said: “We’ve been inhaling the bad air from this pipe for years.
“The smell comes straight into my house.
“When municipal workers were busy installing it, I asked them why this pipe had to be near my house.
“They said there was nothing they could do because they were directed by a map.”
The family suffers most during heavy rain. The drain then overflows and the human waste ends up in their house.
Gogo Wawi claims that her husband Galelekile Dingani (77) died in 2011 because of the terrible air.
“Doctors diagnosed an infection in his chest that resulted in asthma.
“I also have a lung infection because of this kak that we inhale every day. Most people are sick here.
“One of my daughters is now in hospital because of this.
“I put a big rock on top of the drain to try and stop the overflowing.
“The sad part is that our village did not even get flushing toilets. We suffer because of the sewage of people from other areas.
“I plead with the municipality to help us.”
Ayabulela Ngoqo from the Buffalo City Metro said engineers visited the area and decided that the sewerage pipe will be moved.
No date was given for when it will happen.
