Giyani, Limpopo – Residents in Section F of Giyani have endured persistent raw sewage spillage for over 20 years, with the problem intensifying since August last year. Raw sewage flows openly on streets and into homes, creating unbearable odours, attracting mosquitoes, and rendering basic sanitation impossible.
One long-time resident, who has lived with the issue since 2004, described the ongoing hardship: “We have been living like this since 2004. The sewage smell is bad. We can’t eat. We can’t sleep. There are mosquitoes coming from the water. This has affected my life.” He said he has sealed indoor toilet pipes because they no longer flush properly. The spillage has recurred despite occasional interventions by the district municipality, which provide only temporary relief before the problem returns within days.
A contractor was appointed in November last year to address the sewer issue, but residents report no visible progress. Another resident, who has lived in the area since 2006, linked the persistent foul smell to her developed sinus infection, now requiring ongoing medication. She added that her family has resorted to using buckets indoors for urination and driving to nearby bushes for other needs, calling it a humiliating erosion of health and dignity.
Children and the elderly face heightened risks as residents navigate contaminated streets, with fears of disease outbreaks. One resident recalled growing up “jumping the sewage” while going about daily activities and expressed frustration that municipal teams unblock the lines only for the spillage to resume shortly after.
An environmentalist warned of the broader dangers of untreated sewage, noting that it can carry harmful bacteria such as E. coli, potentially leading to cholera and other illnesses. Symptoms may include severe diarrhoea, headaches, stomach ailments, and loss of taste for food due to the constant foul odours in affected communities.
In response, Mopani District Municipality stated that a contractor has been dispatched to repair the blocked sewer pipes. A municipal spokesperson explained: “We are at least satisfied with the progress that he has made because he’s closer to making the connection. What we’re trying to do is try to ensure that at least we replace the smaller pipes that were there with a bigger pipe so that we are able to accommodate the load that is there. So we are confident that it should be connecting to the pump station within a day or two and then they will be back filling and then we’re able to clear the blockages.” The spokesperson attributed part of the delay to persistent rain.
Residents are urgently calling on the Mopani District Municipality to intervene decisively before the situation worsens further, emphasising the severe health risks and daily indignities caused by the prolonged sewage leakage.