Scores of residents in Mozart Street in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, are enduring the discomfort of inhaling the unpleasant odour of sludge from stagnant raw sewage water. This is after spillages from blocked manholes flooded the street, stretching about 100 m, for at least four days last week.
During the period, residents not only had difficulty moving, but also had to endure the unpleasant odour. The problem persisted over four days during which spillages were seen streaming through Papers Street, which is parallel to Mozart Street, in ward 16 of the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM).
Several houses were under siege from spillages, with the problem worsened by blocked storm drains in the street in question.
Two private contractors, reportedly assigned by the MMM to attend to the problem, struggled for hours to solve the blockages.
Thick mud sludge was visible by Monday (07/08) and some residents took the initiative to clean mud spillages inside their homes and their yards.
Some residents lamented they were unable to use their bathrooms, flush toilets, and cook. Some said they were forced to abandon their homes temporarily.
Residents who have no other option risked their health by staying X enduring the discomfort of inhaling unpleasant odours. Some residents wore gumboots in order to go about their business, walking through flooded yards and the street alike.
Residents say they are accustomed to seeing raw sewage bubbling up out of manholes, flowing unabated in the streets and flooding their yards.
“The problem of raw spillages flowing from manholes happens often in the area in recent months. There is no end in sight to raw spillages from blocked manholes, despite contractors’ fixing and fixing,” said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous.
One family had their home flooded in the kitchen and dining room, and is yet to quantify the cost due to damage caused by the raw spillages.
“This is a health disaster for our children, and a ticking time bomb of health disasters has exploded,” said the occupant.
