Residents tormented by flowing kak!

FOR weeks, residents of Zinniaville and other areas in Rustenburg, North West are being tormented by a horrible smell, which they fear might threaten their health.

This is because several houses are flooded by kak due to an uncontrollable sewage spill. But according to residents, this is not the first time they experience sewage spillage and the problem is getting worse every day. 

Resident Catherine Soke, whose house is right next to the sewage spill, said she reported the mess to the municipality. 

“Every time they try to fix it, it starts to overflow again. Our kids do not play outside anymore. Our lives are in danger. Several attempts have been made to have it fixed by the Rustenburg Municipality, but to no avail,” she said.

Katlego Dipheko from Zinniaville outside Rustenburg.

From left: Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Judith Tshabalala and DA Councillor, Luan Snyders.

“We are suffering as a result of leaders who don’t care. Our municipality has done nothing to rescue us. We need permanent solutions,” she said.

Another resident, Jonny Randall, said the smell even affects nearby residents.

“We need the municipality to send the right people to investigate the cause. We reported it immediately, but that made no difference. We have been experiencing this problem for three weeks,” he said.

Deputy minister of water and sanitation, Judith Tshabalala, said they have put funds in place, which will be released to solve infrastructure challenges.

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Tshabalala was conducting an oversight visit in the affected area on Tuesday, 30 May. She said infrastructure backlog must be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

“We are saying gone are the days when people live in sewage spillages and don’t have water. Part of the visit was to collaborate with the municipality and relevant departments to ensure they prioritise the affected areas. I have seen the sewage challenges and how much they are affecting people. We have requested the municipality to fix the pipes urgently,” she said.

She urged the public to take care for their infrastructure, adding that it was also visible that foreign items such as nappies were flushed down the toilets.