Tafelsing residents say they are gatvol of overflowing drains and do not accept the City’s explanation that irresponsible dumping causes the blockages.
Fatiema Abrahams, a resident in Stromboli Road for the last 11 years, says: “At times it is like a fountain of s*** that pours out of the drain and then the whole area stinks and we have popo in our yards and in the roads.
“We had to put something by our drain to stop the popo from coming into our Wendy house but we cannot live like this all the time.
“There are elderly people here and children and because of the smell, the people get diarrhoea so then it is worse.”
Over the weekend, Fatiema said the City attended to the matter but as soon as the trucks left, sewage came streaming out of the drains again.
“They come out every time to clear up the mess but in a few hours or so, then it starts all over again.
“They keep saying that it’s caused by people dumping stuff down the drain on the field nearby but that does not make sense.
“How can it happen so quickly after they come to fix it?
“Does it mean that people are throwing stuff down the drain as soon as they come to fix it?
“Also, the neighbourhood watch guys watch the drains but they never caught anybody dumping stuff down there so they must come with another solution.”
Mayco member for Water and Waste, Xanthea Limberg, says the City is aware of the issues in Mitchells Plain but maintains that the source of the issue is the dumping of fats, oils and sanitary products.
“A major Cape Flats Bulk Sewer project is currently under way and during four months of cleaning a section of about 2km, more than 600 tons of rags, silt, sand, grease, bricks, cutlery, animal carcasses and more were removed,” she says.
“We encourage residents to use the solid waste services to dispose of unwanted items.
“Recyclables can also be taken to drop-off facilities.”