Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
A BARHAM Green family says their once neat and tidy home has turned into a foul-smelling nightmare, with human waste flooding their yard for the past three months while council drags its feet.
Rosemary Naidoo says she and her family have been forced to breathe in a sickening stench every day since August because of a persistent sewer blockage that has turned their yard into a river of filth.
“We reported the problem to council on 25 August. We kept reporting and the latest report was on 3 November. Still, nothing has been done,” she said, looking visibly drained by the ordeal.
At first, the family hoped the matter would be attended to quickly. But as days turned into weeks and weeks into months, their hope evaporated — while the sewage did not.
“The blockage results in sewage flowing into our yard and the smell is unbearable. You can’t even eat peacefully. You can’t sit outside. You can’t sleep properly,” said Naidoo.
In a desperate attempt to fix the problem, the family engaged a private plumber.
But the plumber hit a dead end.
“He told us the issue is from a main sewer pipe. That pipe can only be dealt with by Bulawayo says she even contacted Mayor David Coltart personally.
“He promised to get to the bottom of the matter but nothing has been done up to now,” she said.
Residents in the suburb said the situation raises health alarm bells, with fears of disease outbreaks if the mess is not attended to immediately.
A response from Bulawayo City Council was still being awaited at the time of going to print.
Blessing Chizhande