Gauteng Grappling With Cholera Outbreak After Sewerage Burst

Gauteng has been grappling with a significant cholera outbreak over the past month, causing alarm among its residents. The attack originated from two sisters from Diepsloot who travelled together by bus to Malawi in January and returned on January 30, 2023, as reported by Gauteng Province.

Since then, the number of confirmed cases has risen, with six more cases identified in Johannesburg, primarily in Diepsloot, and two instances in Ekurhuleni. The Department of Health issued the last public statement regarding the initial cases on March 29. However, concerns persist among Sunninghill residents due to a week-long sewerage burst near Chilli Lane Shopping Centre, directly flowing into the Sandspruit River.

Linda Gildenhuys, chairman of the Sunninghill Community Ratepayers Association, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “The sewage had been flowing for over a week, going straight into the Sandspruit River, which posed a significant health risk.”

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After resolving the issue, Johannesburg Water advised residents against disposing of fats into the sewerage line. According to their investigation, the line has been impacted by the presence of oily fats from both residents and the local shopping centre in the area.

Johannesburg Water’s communication officer, Nolwazi Dhlamini, emphasised, “Our investigations reveal that recurring blockages are caused by fats in the line, which originate from the nearby shopping center, where residents and employees dispose of fats into the sewer lines. We urge residents, business owners, and employees to refrain from disposing of fats and other foreign objects into the city’s infrastructure.”

Izark Petersen, CEO of Dipula Income Fund, shed light on the challenges faced by the management of Chilli Lane Shopping Centre regarding the sewerage line. Being at the lowest point of the line, they bear the brunt of the problems as the sewage flows downstream.

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Petersen explained, “For years, we have raised concerns with the council about the line. Our location at the lowest point creates the perception that the problem originates from our tenants. We enforce strict rules and regulations regarding fat disposal, requiring all our center’s restaurants to have fat trap systems, and regularly auditing health risk certificates. In fact, we are often the ones reaching out for help when issues arise since any problem affecting our community directly impacts us. We urge everyone not to dispose of fat in the municipal line, as it complicates everyone’s job.”

As authorities work to contain the cholera outbreak in Gauteng, addressing the sewerage system issues and promoting responsible waste disposal practices are crucial steps in safeguarding public health.

Source: Sewage leak causes a stink in Sunninghill

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