GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — A town once known as the cleanest in the Eastern Cape is now being described as a town of rack and ruin by some locals who are affected by the lack of municipal service delivery.
Some complaints were received from residents who are strongly objecting overflowing manholes and trash piling up in some suburbs.
The Graaff-Reinet Advertiser visited some of the areas concerned and found two swarming manholes in the Graaff-Reinet town area.
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Raw sewerage can be seen running out of the manholes in Middle Street, next to the correctional facility and close to Naudé and Paul Kruger Streets.
A resident said some of the nearby residents who have their own boreholes, are affected by the sewerage.
“Sometimes the water coming from the boreholes are brown.”
Another raw sewerage leak was discovered at the Umasizakhe informal settlement, causing an overwhelming stench.
Residents from the Umasizakhe informal settlement have been battling with this disturbing stench caused by human waste flowing from the sewerage system.
The magnitude of the discharge resulted in a flowing river, slowly making its way to the Nqweba Dam.
Another concern is that trash, caused by the alleged lack of service delivery and illegal dumping, is piling up in suburbs.
Meanwhile, ward councillors and residents are concerned that the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality isn't delivering adequate services, or deploying law enforcement officers to enforce municipal bylaws.
Ward councillor for Ward 2, Linda Botha said she is facing huge challenges with people dumping their rubbish at the bottom end of Napier and Hope Streets in town.
Botha said she is concerned about the town’s image as tourists have to witness the dirty corners.
“People are also dumping at Mountain Drive and at the bottom of Donkin Street on the path to the river which many tourists use,” said Botha.
Botha said she had pleaded with the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality to put up signage.
“Our plea has fallen on deaf ears. Law enforcement in terms of illegal dumping is non-existent.”
Enquiries were sent to the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality who has yet to respond.
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