Sewage spill nightmare for Entumbane residents

Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
RESIDENTS of Entumbane in Bulawayo are sitting on a health time bomb as a sewer blockage has resulted in effluent flowing into their houses. The residents from Area Five adjacent to Entumbane Complex say they have been living with raw sewage for more than a month. They said the problem has been on and off since last year. “This is nightmarish. We’ve sewage flowing from toilets and drainage systems into houses. About 15 houses are affected,” said a resident who declined to be named.

“The smell of excrement is hanging over the neighbourhood. Imagine we’ve to cook and eat in such an environment.” Mrs Gladys Nyathi who has been staying in the neighbourhood since 1983 said: “After almost every two weeks there is a blockage, we don’t know what to do. We’ve sick people in our homes who we cannot carry to our neighbours to use the toilets.”

“It’s really a big challenge. We’re appealing to council to take this matter seriously as they are exposing us to diseases. The toilets are overflowing rendering them impossible to use.” Ms Zodwa Dube said the stench and flowing water had attracted flies which cause diseases.

“The council didn’t put any chemicals and we’ve to deal with flies. Our children are exposed. They cannot even play outside because of this sewage flow,” said Ms Dube. Another resident Ms Molitha Dlamini said the stench was causing health problems particularly to asthmatic patients.

The area’s councillor Mrs Gladys Masuku says she has engaged council to rectify the problem.

“The residents have told me about the problem and I’ve engaged the relevant department and they have come here a number of times. However, it’s a recurring problem it needs to be addressed time and again. I think it’s because city council has no equipment to clear the blockage,” said Clr Masuku.

Bulawayo City Council Senior Public Relations Officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu was not reachable for comment. Sewage contains a wide range of contaminants and presents a health hazard if humans come into contact with it.

Burst sewer pipes expose residents to infections and diseases such as typhoid, dysentery and cholera.