IMAGES CREDIT: Mvuzo
Ntombela/SDCEA
The eThekwini
Municipality workers strike by Durban Solid Waste, Water and Sanitation and
electricity units is causing grave concerns, leaving the city and many
Durban communities in a stench. This is causing a health hazard.
"As you enter
Wentworth, a strong unpleasant smell welcomes you, resulting in nausea and
dizzy spells. The community is stinking. Sewage overflows the road way, rubbish
left unattended to for weeks and a manifestation of rodents crawl the streets
and into households," said Maureen Rambhadursing, Director of the Poor
Flatdwellers Movement.
This poses a significant
health problem that can lead to all sorts of disasters.
Just further down, at
the Durban habour, a large volume of litter, effluent and sewage is been
discharged through the storm water reticulation system from a catchment area of
more than 200km2 in size.
Environmental activist
and Journalist, Oliver Meth expressed his concern after seen the contaminated
water, both in Wentworth and the Durban Port.
"This poses a
serious threat to both the marine life, those who fish alongside the habour and
people's health. We could have a serious outbreak of disease, if the city does
not address the striking workers issues and clean up the mess," Meth
added.
"We are urging
government to arrange interim domestic refuse removal services, as a means to
prevent the health issues that will arise," said Des D'sa, SDCEA
Coordinator.
The South Durban
Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) is calling KZN Premier Willies Mchunu
together with various government entities to take decisive steps in addressing
the matter.
--
Oliver
Meth
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