Residents living near the Khayelitsha Day Hospital in Site B, Khayelitsha say the stench that covered their area is intolerable and causes diseases to their children. Residents have blamed the municipality for a multitude of illnesses, including, eczema, skin irritation, headaches and others, which they said are a result of fumes emanating from the blocked toilets and manholes.
The Lindelani Park Informal settlement claimed to have been living with raw sewage flowing into their yards each and every month. They said the blockage seemed to be normal thing. They said most sidewalks are impossible to walk because of spillage. The area is covered with stench from human feaces. The same feaces is spilling over from the toilets to the sidewalks and roads. When Vukani visited the cleaners said there was nothing they could do. They said they been reporting to the City of Cape Town but nothing has happened to help the situation. Some toilets seats are covered with piling feaces. Manholes in their streets were overflowing with raw sewerage.
Residents Nombulelo Majola said manholes have been leaking for a month now and toilets have not been cleaned months.
She said she was worried about the health hazard posed. She said though the problem had been reported several times to the local councillor and the City of Cape Town, it had not been fixed.
“This is unbearable. We are near the hospital and a mall and yet we live under these conditions. We have children that inhale the odour. Imagine those who have just been born under these conditions. This is totally ridiculous,” she said.
Another resident Andisiwe Bonani also cried for a playing space for children. She said another challenge the area is facing is the lack of recreational facilities. “We all have children and cars. That alone is a problem because there is no space to play and park the cars here. That is why children find themselves playing with dirty water. We also get water from these toilet and that is cold life. The smell alone sickens,” she said.
She said for last 18 years she has been staying in the area there no never been a talk of removing them or developing the area. But ward 91 councillor Thando Mpengezi denied the allegation that nothing is being done there. He said by the look of things, there is a big problem in the area. He said the toilets are unblocked but the next day they are blocked again. “We are in negotiations we the Stormwater and Sewer department to look at the problem there. There is a serious problem with the sewer system,” he said.
He said when it comes to housing, he cannot commit himself with something he is not sure of. However Mr Mpengezi said shacks are the hospital is not a good thing. He said the government should also take note of that.
The City said it is investigating the issue.