Residents of Ext 7 in Tsutsumani describe their living condition as hell on earth
TSUTSUMANI– Joburg Water said it has sent a team to deal with sewer blockage in Shibobo Street, Ext 7.
A concerned community member and resident of Ext 7 in Tsutsumani, Bongani Zuma has described living conditions in his neighbourhood as hell on earth.
Zuma who has lived in Shibobo Street for more than 10 years said his life and that of his family, his property and household valuables were at risk after water from a blocked sewer pipe flooded into his house.
He said the problem started in September last year and was reported to Ward 105 councillor Tefo Raphadu for municipal intervention.
“We don’t know what to do or where to go now,” he said. “The water pool in front of my house keeps growing every day and recently started flowing into the houses. One of my neighbours is forced to use a window to go in or out of the house because of a big hole filled with water by the entrance of his house.
“We live with children and this water is posing health hazards to us. Cars cannot use the road anymore because of water levels and a deep hole dug by Joburg Water who were trying to unblock the pipe and left it open.”
In response, Raphadu said Joburg Water had been called to unblock the pipe. “The cause of the blockage are illegal structures built along Jukskei River. These structures have blocked sewer pipes and water cannot pass through. I warned people about these illegal structures and their consequences to the environment. We are now considering taking a legal route to have those illegal structures demolished. There is no other way to unblock the pipe besides demolishing those illegal structures,” Raphadu added.
Joburg Water spokesperson, Isaac Dhludhlu said the water utility had sent an urgent request for a team to be dispatched to the site.
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