As a Grahamstown family was taking steps to sell up and leave the city, Makana's chief engineer, Tembinkosi Myalato, rubbished residents’ claims that sewage has been spilling into De Villiers Close area for over a year.
As a Grahamstown family was taking steps to sell up and leave the city, Makana's chief engineer, Tembinkosi Myalato, rubbished residents’ claims that sewage has been spilling into De Villiers Close area for over a year.
Graham Wilmot, a resident at De Villiers Close, said they have decided to sell their property and move to Port Elizabeth because of the sewage spills.
"We have complained many times about the sewage drain to the municipality, but it has not been fixed," he says. "The guy who lives across the road has been hit worst by this. The sewage would spill all over his yard and as a result they moved out yesterday.
"We have decided to sell our house also because of this problem. It's been years and nothing is being done," said Wilmot.
Across De Villiers Close, the owners of the Dolphin crèche and nursery school said they have also been complaining to Makana Municipality about the sewage smell near their school.
"My biggest concern is the kids; what if the get sick from this? The stuff has been flowing through this river for a long time and on rainy days it gets worse," said Freda Wewege, who runs the crèche with her daughter Elbie Barnard.
Barnard said every time she called Makana she has been sent from pillar to post.
"They just transfer you from this department to another one and nothing is done about this. It smells daily, and it is not pleasant."
Wewege said parents have complained about the smell to them and some have tried to assist. "Parents also try and phone the municipality and they promise to come and check, but nothing is done. From last year this has been happening and the people that are suffering most are those at De Villiers Close," she said.
Grocott's Mail contacted Myalato for comment on the allegations that the municipality ignoring the situation, who said, "The problem in that area is a blockage upstream. We sent our team to clean the blockage yesterday and today they are also there."
"It has not been a year; these blockages happen haphazardly, not all the time. I am definitely sure it has not been like that for a year," he said.
He denied knowledge of the fact that residents have decided to move from the area owing to the ongoing problem. "We don't know why they are leaving, but it is not because of the sewage," he said.
Myalato said the municipality received funding to upgrade the sewerage pipeline at Tata, which has been overflowing to the river.
He maintained that every time they get a complaint about De Villiers Close it is attended to.
