Manenberg residents are gatvol of sewage spills which, they say, are flooding their homes and making their children sick.
Residents living in Grieta Court say for the past three weeks they have had to put up with flies and naar smells as City contractors cannot fix the problem because they are scared of skollies.
Dad Marvin Persens, 59, says two sewage drains on either side of the court are blocked and everyday stink water flows into the court and street.
“It is right next to my flat and the smell is making us sick. You can see the toilet paper and everything come up,” he says.
“We have called the City, but they just say they can’t come out to fix the problem because the gangsters are shooting.”
Mom Mymoena Petersen, 25, says her three-year-old daughter, Raziyah Odendaal, fell ill last week and had to be treated for a tummy bug.
“She woke up at 1am with a headache and a very high fever. We took her to Melomed Hospital and they treated her. The doctor told us that she picked up something because of this stink water that is coming right into our yards.”
Mayco Member for Water and Waste Services, Xanthea Limberg, confirms skollies are delaying services.
“The cause of the sewer blockages/overflows in this area is attributed to the disposal of inappropriate materials into the sewer system. Staff have not been directly threatened, however when gang violence flares up staff are at risk of being caught in the crossfire,” she says.
“For instance on Sunday staff were forced to leave the area due to shooting. However, attempts were made to effect some services under escort.”