Raw sewage flooding homes and streets, a foul smell in the air and swarms of flies have become an all too regular feature for the residents of B-hostel in Duncan Village.
Problems with the sewer pipe have been continuing for years, but no permanent solution has been found.
The constant sewage spills are not just an inconvenience; they are a violation of residents’ right to live in dignity and pose a serious environmental health risk.
But the people of Duncan Village are not the only ones affected.
Communities in Sweetwaters, near Qonce, and Needs Camp are battling the same problem. So too the residents of Mzamomhle, in Gonubie, where sewage streams are a common sight. In Needs Camp, communal pit toilets have become unusable, residents claim.
People such as Nonele Wongwa and Thulani Mhlubulwana have raised the alarm about the overflowing sewer pipes and blocked toilets at B-hostel for years, but all they get are temporary fixes and empty promises.
They say each household contributes R20 to pay private contractors when their pleas to the city go unanswered.
It is not uncommon for BCM residents to reach into their own pockets to attend to a service delivery issue.
The city admits to the problem in Duncan Village, saying it’s due to ageing infrastructure, vandalism and overpopulation.
Interventions include the replacement of sewage lines in high-failure areas, but no mention is made of timelines. The upgrade programme is a move in the right direction, but it needs to happen quickly.
For years, residents in these communities have had to contend with sewage flowing through the streets and into their homes.
They cannot open their windows because of the stench, and their children play near the spills.
It is a health crisis waiting to happen.
The AG’s report raised concerns about the facilities, saying they were inadequate to
deal with the
ever-growing demand, resulting in repeated sewage overflows
The conditions experienced in Duncan Village, Sweetwaters and Needs Camp — and in other parts of the metro — reveal just how quickly people’s dignity can be lost when their basic needs are ignored.
The sewage crisis in BCM is a clear example of how neglecting infrastructure leads to human suffering and health hazards.
Earlier in 2025, auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke flagged irregularities in the city’s water and sanitation infrastructure projects, many of which she said were not up to scratch.
The AG’s report raised concerns about the facilities, saying they were inadequate to deal with the ever-growing demand, resulting in repeated sewage overflows.
In August, mayor Princess Faku led a delegation on a site visit to facilities and committed to tackling the city’s water and sewerage crises.
We need to listen to the residents of these communities and respect their experiences.
Their daily struggles should serve as a call to action to BCM to restore dignity and ensure the safety of affected residents.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.