More ‘sewage houses’ in danger of collapse

MORE houses in the vicinity of Nobengula Street are at risk of caving in, as they are built on the same sewerage line as the homes that are collapsing in Absolom Crescent, Galeshewe.

- SANDI KWON HOO

Work began on May 6 to drain sewage water from a sinkhole that had formed in Absolom Crescent, following a protest by frustrated Club 2000 residents at Sol Plaatje Municipality this week over blocked drains and foul-smelling sewage overflowing into their homes.

The house and two flats at the centre of a dispute in Absolom Crescent were evacuated due to safety concerns. One of the flats had started disintegrating, while the house had to be demolished to access a collapsed sewage pipe located eight metres underground.

The remaining structures were demolished on Wednesday after a settlement was reached with the property owner, who had obtained an urgent interim interdict against Sol Plaatje Municipality on April 26.

Municipal manager Thapelo Matlala admonished residents who demanded urgent action on the sewage crisis, accusing them of “wasting his time while he was already doing his job” and saying he could be “dealing with the situation” instead.

He said the site had initially been deemed unsafe for workers.