When the housing project began, it was intended to include sufficient greywater and sewage systems to serve the entire area; however, this has not been implemented. Currently, there are sewage problems in Dan Tloome, which also impact lower-lying areas near the housing project. As a result, when sewage overflows into stormwater pipes and contaminates boreholes—the only source of drinking water for these areas—our wetlands are polluted.
The officials in charge of this housing project have failed, and continue to fail, the community of Dan Tloome and its surroundings, because residents are forced to live with poor sanitation conditions and drink contaminated water. There is no functioning sewage treatment plant in Randfontein due to a lack of maintenance, and it has been vandalised.
Manholes are overflowing with raw sewage and flowing into nearby marshes, dams, and rivers, contaminating our underground drinking water. This supply is going to cause an outbreak of diseases and the killing of livestock. There is also a possibility that this spillage will end up in the Vaal River and dams, resulting in more people being vulnerable to diseases.
Meetings were held with the municipality, and they assured us that they will keep a watchful eye on the situation to prevent any spillage. This was never done. Sewerage spillage had been active for many months and was not brought to our attention, remaining unreported for months until residents noticed the sewerage odour in the air and investigated. The situation has gotten worse now that it often rains.
We need to come together and pressure the municipality into doing right by us. This is a clear violation of our human rights. We deserve clean water and functional sewage systems.
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