Sebokeng residents trapped in filth and degrading humiliation

IN PART two of The Star's “Emfuleni Drowning in Sewage” series, we take a closer look at Sebokeng, a once-thriving suburban area now overwhelmed by sewage. What was once a vibrant community has been consumed by filth, with the stench of human waste hanging heavy in the air and seeping into every corner of their yards.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

Families in this area continue to endure an unrelenting nightmare, their desperate calls for help falling on deaf ears. As South Africa celebrated Freedom Day, these residents found no freedom — their hope is dwindling, their health is worsening, and with every new spillage, their dignity is being stripped away.

Once a place of quiet routines and family life, Sebokeng Zone 10 Extension 2 has become unrecognisable. The ground squelches beneath every step, soaked in raw sewage.

Grandmothers spend their days removing bucket after bucket — sometimes eight at a time — from their drains, just to make their yards look somewhat livable. Children have been sent away to stay with relatives, as parents fear the invisible dangers that seep from every corner — bacteria, disease, and despair.

But what lingers more than the stench is the silence from those meant to serve, to fix, to care. This is no longer just about sewage. This is about the right to live with dignity.

Mamotse Mofokeng, a resident of Zone 10 Extension 2, shared the heartbreaking reality she faces in one of the worst-affected homes. She explained that her yard, once a place of enjoyment, is now a source of despair. The overwhelming presence of sewage has made it impossible for her to sit outside or watch her grandchildren play, as the area has been completely consumed by filth.

"My yard used to be a place where I could relax and watch my grandchildren play, but now it's overwhelmed by sewage and human waste. Sanitary pads float around, and it's unbearable. I can't even step outside without feeling sick."