December was not a festive time for Grahamstown family, the Ponis. Since October, says Malibongwe Poni, the family has been begging the municipality to come and attend to blocked sewers in their part of Hlalani.
December was not a festive time for Grahamstown family, the Ponis. Since October, says Malibongwe Poni, the family has been begging the municipality to come and attend to blocked sewers in their part of Hlalani.
He said most of the houses in the area are affected.
"We couldn't enjoy our December," Poni told Grocott's Mail on Thursday 8 January.
He was on his way to find someone senior at the municipality to listen to his problem and hopefully do something about it.
"We reported it in October," Poni said. "And many times after that."
He said a municipal team came to sort out their neighbour's blocked toilet in December. Seeing them there, Poni asked them to come across and clear their sewer too.
"They said wait for your number – or pay us R50 to get it done now," said Poni. "They said we should go and use the 'big mountain' in the meantime."
He said he was working as a casual labourer at Rhodes University and couldn't afford an extra payment.
Seven people live in the Poni household.
As warm days turned sweltering in the past month, Poni and his brother had to find somewhere else to sleep.
"When the weather's like this, me and my brother have to go away because the smell comes into our room," he said. "Then when it rains it overflows and we have to clean it."
Municipal spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo said the relevant staff would be alerted to the Hlalani blockages. She said it was unacceptable if municipal staff were demanding payment for prompt service.
"Those services are supposed to be free," Ramokolo said.
"If someone is asking you for money to block a municipal sewer, you should report them to the municipality.
"They are not supposed to be paid."
