COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY SEWAGE

Thokozile Nkosi

Thokozile Nkosi

Hope Farm

Newcastle Municipality

KwaZulu-Natal

 

COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY SEWAGE

 

We are having a problem with running off sewerage. It’s happening in Newcastle in the CBD, even in our community areas. We are all affected as Newcastle residents because even if you go to town, lots of dirty-smelling water is all over the streets of Newcastle. Our kids are most affected because they can’t go out and play freely, inhaling the smell every day as a community. I think one day we will find ourselves having respiratory diseases and our health problems will occur.

“It started a few years back, but until now the problem is becoming worse and it’s not solved. And it looks like the municipality is not planning to fix this issue of sewerage anytime soon, because even when they do road shows, they are not mentioning this issue of sewerage.” Said Thokozile

I think the cause of this problem is that they don’t have proper infrastructure for our sewerage, and also the storms that have been happening in Newcastle have damaged the pipes. They ruined the infrastructure, and also the people who use foreign things in the toilets. That leads to blockage in town, the people who have cooking places pour leftovers and oil in the main holes.

All of us are Newcastle residents but the municipality must have a monitoring team to see what is happening around Newcastle.

The municipality must appoint the workers that focus on sewerage management and local shops before issuing the permit to the street who are cooking around town. The municipality and the community-based organization must join together and start a campaign around the above-mentioned issues so that it can be addressed and taken action.