Countless complaints regarding the severity of the raw sewage spillage affecting factories in the Hamilton industrial area in Bloemfontein seem to have fallen on deaf ears at the Mangaung Metro Municipality.
The factory managers reported the problem several times, both by sending emails and making phone calls to the the city manager and head of the department.
Raw sewage spillages have developed into a swamp on premises located in George Lubbe Street.
The affected factories include Pride in Tyres, SA Truck Bodies and Van der Boons Bakery.
The factory managers say they reported the problem immediately when detected late in November, and followed up during December and the beginning of January.
The constant flowing sewage has eroded the surface of the M10 road, part of George Lubbe Street and Piet Human Street, leaving dangerous holes which have damaged the tyres of vehicles.
To illustrate the negative impact of the sewage, the factory managers even attached photos to emails directed to top managers of the municipality.
“It was like knocking on a dead person’s door, reporting sewage problems at the Mangaung Metro Municipality for over a month,” says one factory manager.
The spillage from blocked manholes in the adjacent Sejake settlement is primarily the source of stagnant sewage on the premises of Pride in Tyres and Van der Boons Bakery.
The managers lament the unbearable stench and the impact on production, on top of the effects of an ailing economy.
Some strongly warn that the authorities’ failure to respond forces them to consider disinvesting.
“We are dealing with food, and this sewage affects production and the health of everyone,” says Handy Otto, manager of the bakery.
Redge Pelser, factory manager of Pride in Tyres, says even after constant reporting and an inspection by an employee of the municipality, the problem was not solved immediately.
“Almost a month later, nothing has been done,” says Pelser.
“Due to the sewage problem, we face unhygienic conditions in our business. People are not able to move around because of the stench and constant flow of sewage. The smell is unbearable and affects employees’ and customers’ health.
“We do not get any service delivery from the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.”
According to Pelser, numerous factories were forced to continue to operate under hazardous conditions and contend with the unpleasant odour throughout the month of December and the beginning of the new year.
He says upon their return from the festive recess, the situation had worsened.
“We find sewage water seeping into the basement and through walls,” he says.
Efforts to get comment from the Mangaung Metro were futile.
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