Two men in South Africa die trying to do a municipality’s job

Two men in Orkney near Klerksdorp in the North West have died after inhaling toxic gasses while attempting to unblock a sewerage manhole on 15 October.

Another was hospitalised, but has since been discharged.

Matlosana Local Municipality mayor Fikile Mahlophe said that he is “deeply saddened by this tragic event” and extends his sympathies to the affected families.”

The municipality stated that the deceased were neither employees of the City of Matlosana nor contracted by them to undertake any work at the time of the incident.

It has been reported that the two men were employed by a local businessman to clear the long-blocked sewerage pipe.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since registered an inquest docket, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are currently underway.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Matlosana said that the tragic loss of life “resulted from the municipality’s continued failure to maintain essential infrastructure.”

“This devastating incident occurred when residents, out of sheer desperation, attempted to unblock a sewer that had been overflowing in their street for months,” said caucus leader Gerhard Strydom.

“Despite numerous complaints and pleas for intervention, the municipality failed to act.”

Strydom condemned the deaths of two residents and the hospitalisation of another, blaming ongoing municipal neglect and poor ANC governance, and called for a full investigation, competent leadership, and accountable service delivery.

The sewerage system in Matlosana is in a dire state, with raw sewage regularly flowing into residential areas and directly into water sources.

Repair efforts have been continuously hampered by theft and a lack of investment in maintenance and upgrades.

According to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Green Drop Report, Matlosana Municipality operates four sewage treatment plants: Klerksdorp, Hartebeesfontein, Orkney, Stilfontein.

Regulator findings highlight critical and high-risk issues: Hartebeesfontein and Orkney are in the critical-risk category; Klerksdorp and Stilfontein remain at high risk.

As such, sewage blockages are not uncommon, as evidenced in a recent Newsday trip.

A resident of Jouberton, Anele Mazibuko, told Newsday that they have had to become accustomed to the smell of sewage, with excrement running down the streets becoming a common occurance.

The Matlosana Business Chamber (MBC) said, “No one, not even a business, should be exposed to this type of substantial inconvenience with foul odours coming from the sewer system”.

“It not only affects the quality of life for the community but also poses a health hazard to customers and employees.”

“The Constitutional rights pertaining to basic sanitation services and a clean environment… are trampled on and violated by the mid-action or inaction and mismanagement by the City,” added the MBC.