Raw sewage crisis plagues Moorton as city fails to act

RESIDENTS of Moorton in Chatsworth are facing a public health emergency as raw sewage has continued to flow through streets and homes for nearly three years.

Despite numerous complaints, community members claim municipal authorities have failed to address the crisis, leaving families to endure unbearable conditions and raising concerns about long-term health impacts.

Furious residents are demanding immediate intervention as raw sewage runs through streets and into the local water systems.

“The sewage is impacting the environment and livelihoods of those living in the area,” said Ward 71 DA councillor, Bob Daniel Naidoo.

Naidoo said that residents of the Moorton Rainbow Circle and the adjacent Lusaka Informal Settlement had endured inhumane living conditions due to an ongoing sewage overflow crisis. 

“For almost three years, raw sewage has been spilling from a stormwater manhole, and despite numerous complaints, the municipality has failed to take action.

“During an oversight visit, we were shocked by the appalling conditions residents have been subjected to. They are faced daily with the unbearable stench, health hazards, and environmental damage caused by the untreated sewage.

"This prolonged neglect has severely impacted the dignity and livelihoods of families in the area.“

We will urgently engage the city’s head of water and sanitation and escalate the matter to the heads of the health department and parks and gardens to demand immediate intervention.

The residents of Moorton do not deserve to suffer under these disgraceful and unsafe conditions,” said Naidoo. 

Nico Govender, 40, who lives with his family, adjacent to the overflowing manhole, expressed his anger, saying that the municipality had failed the community.

He said the continued overflow of sewerage from the stormwater manhole had been going on for almost three years.

“The community is fed up with the unbearable stench. I have been living here for nine years. For the past three years I have been logging complaints with the city but no one helps. The municipality will come out for 30 minutes, say there is nothing they can do and leave without helping. 

“When the sewage spill first started, it came out of the stormwater drains and covered our backyards. Some people living on the ground floor had the sewage entering into their homes. We do not stay at home because we try to escape the smell.“My children do not play outside. We just do not want to be at home anymore. We intend on petitioning the president for the failure of the eThekwini Municipality to fix the problem,” said Govender. 

Another concerned resident Pravesh Maharaj, 64, said despite numerous complaints, the problem had not been fixed.

“The municipality's failure in fixing this problem is appalling. It is a terrible stench and the councillor of this area does not help. The community is struggling without support. There is even a school nearby, so children walk through the sewage infested streams and roads to get to school. This is a bad environment, not only for children but for all of us. The area needs help but no one is willing to listen,” said Maharaj. 

Sarasvathie Pillay, 66, a resident of Rainbow Circle, said she struggled with the foul smell.

“The sewer behind my home is really bad. There is a stream as well. During heavy downpours the stream gets flooded. The dumping bags, beds, paper, sanitary towels and diapers makes the problem worse. 

“The stench is really bad. Children are playing around there and elderly people are also getting sick due to all the pollution. This has been an ongoing problem for the past three to four years. There has been no response from the municipality. We need the health inspectors to come and see this place. It is really an awful sight,” said Pillay. 

The eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said: “The city’s rodding contractor has been working diligently to address blockages in the affected sewer lines. Three manholes were cleared, with obstructions such as towels, blankets, 2-litre bottles, and other debris removed from the system.

“The contractor will continue with operations and is scheduled to clear an additional three manholes to ensure the sewer lines remain functional and prevent further  blockages. We urgeresidents to refrain from disposing of any materials into the sewer system that could cause blockages.”

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