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Phola Village in Mahikeng faces a sewage crisis that has compromised their health and children’s education
The residents of Phola village in Mahikeng have criticised the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West for failing to find a permanent solution for the persisting challenge of sewerage spillage.
The municipality appointed two contractors to pump out the sewage after a sanitation pipe burst in August 2023, which created challenging living conditions for residents. On Friday, the contractors abandoned the site, allegedly due to non-payment.
The community of Phola faces significant challenges to their quality of life and economic stability due to the sewage overflow.
“It is a serious health hazard. We have been calling, asking the municipality. The mayor came several times then we pleaded with the mayor that this issue has gotten serious. It seems as if they are not finding any solution so, we are asking them to find a solution to this problem because now it’s now getting out of hand,” says a community member.
“Can you please take care of us and our children. They can’t go to school and they are writing exams. This is not healthy,” adds another resident.
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A Democratic Alliance (DA) North West Legislature member, Chris Steyl faults the municipality for opting for maintenance contracts over proper pipe replacement.
“Sewerage is affecting communities. It is completely flooded and the stench is unbearable. This is a temporary solution. The permanent solution is to dig open the pipeline, find the fault and replace the pipe,” says Steyl.
Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality Executive Mayor, Khumalo Molefe acknowledged service delivery challenges within the municipality and committed to implementing consequence management for those found responsible.
“We have met with the management team overseeing this process no less than six times. It’s an act of incompetence, poor performance, negligence and dereliction of duty. It therefore follows that we have a duty not to advocate justification of this act but to hold those who are responsible accountable. The pipe work should be unfolding or should’ve been completed by now,” says Molefe.
Following residents’ protests, the contractor resumed work, on Saturday
