In several areas of Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape, residents continue to endure chronic blocked drains and recurring sewage overflows that have persisted for years, leading to sewage flooding yards and homes and creating serious health hazards.
A resident, described how sewage has been flowing into her home for so long that it has become a daily reality. She explained that repairs, when they occur, often take weeks after reporting, only for the problem to return within days. “16 17 years now. It’s a long time,” she said. “December, we can’t eat properly. Children’s getting sick. I can’t get my grandchild was born. He can’t even stay here by me. My child’s wedding was I must I’ll take her out because she must go out by my house.” She added that despite repeated promises to send assistance, the necessary trucks are frequently unavailable.
In Mandela Park in Kariega, wastewater has accumulated into a stagnant pool behind Shireen’s home. She noted that the overpowering smell lingers over the area daily, yet children continue to play nearby. “We have been reporting this matter from last year and oh, it’s not nice,” Shireen said. “The smell we have, we do have kids here and it’s not nice. We must wear mask every day for that smell.”
Similar issues plague New Brighton, where sewage overflows onto streets, runs past homes, and pools near the entrance of a clinic, forcing residents to navigate through it to access healthcare services. In some cases, sewage flows back into homes through drains.
A community organization focused on service delivery highlighted that such problems are widespread across numerous wards, with residents reporting sewage spillages almost daily. The group emphasized that overflows reach yards and houses regularly, and clinic attendees face barriers due to blocked access gates surrounded by sewage.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acknowledged receiving the complaints but admitted to ongoing limitations in addressing blockages. A municipal representative stated, “Yeah, capacity is always an issue. Um we can never say that we’ve got adequate capacity.” The representative also pointed to the need for greater education and awareness about what enters the sewer system, noting that blockages are frequently caused by inappropriate items such as tires and baskets discarded into the network.
The metro indicated it is considering replacing sections of its aging sanitation infrastructure, a process that would be costly. For families who have dealt with these conditions over the long term, such upgrades may represent the only meaningful path to relief.