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The Magwevana family at Neva-Neva informal settlement in Philippi East is fighting a losing battle as raw sewage continuously runs into their home.
They have since been forced to vacate one of the bedrooms. The mysterious sewage emanates from the underground infrastructure into the shack, causing an unbearable stench. It is also a health hazard to the family.
When City Vision visited the area, a stream of sewage with human excrement floated between the shacks. Inside, shack owner Babalwa Magwevana was busy mopping the dirty water. There was a pool of stinking water on the floor.
Magwevana told City Vision things got worse on Monday 20 February.
She said they had problems previously, but nothing similar to what happen now.
“I saw the dirty water streaming down on the floor in the dining room. When I checked, trying to find where it came from, I noticed a pool of water under the bed,” said Magwevana. She suspects the sewage comes from the stagnant dirty water surrounding her home.
Magwevana said she stayed in the area for seven years and never experienced any problems.
“It’s been years since the sewage flowed infront of my shack. A sewerage pipe burst in the area and the whole mess is passing in front of our shacks,” she explained, adding that there was also illegal dumping next to her shack.
The mother of six children said her concern is the children.
“My children are living in this mess. My youngest child is two-years-old. I asked him to stay in bed because the whole shack was wet. All my belongings in my bedroom have been moved to another room,” she stated.
Community leader Nowethu Sautana described their living conditions as terrible. She said it had been years since the sewage flowed in the area.
“Many people, including children, are sick here because they breathe this mess. There is k*k all over here because the sewerage pipes are broken,” she said.
Sautana labelled the rubbish as debris from a recent shack fire.
“When the shack fire victims were cleaning their sites, they took the debris and put it there, hoping City trucks would come and pick it up.
Ward 88 councillor Zukisani Sophazi said he is aware of Magwevana’s situation. He promised to inform City officials.
Sophazi said the problem in the area was related to collapsing infrastructure across the greater Philippi community.
“There is a pond opposite Neva-Neva, just behind Vuyiseka Sports Complex. Sometimes when it becomes full, the water flows to Neva-Neva. Another problem is the sewer, which is collapsing. That infrastructure is too old and needs to be changed,” he said.
Sophazi also highlighted the issue of illegal dumping in the area, saying that the rubbish should be collected soon.