Sewage overflow leaves Soshanguve Block XX residents worried about health and basic services
Residents of Soshanguve Block XX say their neighbourhood has been living with overflowing sewage since mid-September, a problem they insist the municipality was slow to fix and that is now affecting daily life and health at a household level.
Innocent Sithole, a resident who lodged a complaint, reported that the issue first appeared in mid-September but worsened when sewage began spilling onto the street. He said he formally reported the problem to the Tshwane metro on 2 October and then followed up repeatedly from about 5 October, including visits to municipal offices in Rosslyn, without a lasting solution.
“The overflowing sewage has affected my household and my neighbours to an extent that we can’t stay outside. We try to keep the kids in the house, but kids are kids. They want to see one another as they are not prisoners,”
Sithole said the smell made it difficult for residents to eat in peace and that people had experienced flu-like symptoms linked to the contamination. He also said families had incurred medical expenses while continuing to pay municipal rates.
Municipality response and on-the-ground action
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that two service requests had been logged through the municipality’s customer care portal. Mashigo said a technical team had inspected the site and that technicians were deployed with specialised equipment to clear the blockage.
The confirmation of deployment appears to have followed mounting complaints. Residents said earlier phone calls to the municipality produced what they described as “empty promises and endless excuses”, and some travelled to Rosslyn offices where they were told the sewage department was based in Soshanguve.
- Problem first noticed: mid-September (residents)
- Formal complaint lodged: 2 October (resident report)
- Follow-up calls and visits: from 5 October (resident report)
- Municipal action: two service requests logged and a technical team inspection confirmed by Tshwane (spokesperson)
What residents want and the wider context
Residents are urging faster, lasting repairs and clearer communication from the municipality. Sithole framed the demand in the context of upcoming elections, saying local people expect reliable service delivery when they cast their votes. The complaint highlights a recurring tension in Tshwane suburbs: residents maintain that they continue to pay rates while service levels remain inconsistent.
Locally, overflowing sewage is more than an inconvenience. It raises hygiene concerns, can attract pests and increases the risk of waterborne and respiratory ailments, particularly for children and older adults. Residents reporting flu-like symptoms and out-of-pocket medical costs makes this an immediate household finance and public-health issue.
| Issue | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Soshanguve Block XX |
| Complaint lodged | 2 October (resident) |
| Municipal response | Two service requests logged; technical team inspected and equipment deployed (Tshwane spokesperson) |
For many in Block XX, swift repair is not only about restoring basic sanitation but about dignity and safety. The situation has amplified calls for better coordination between local offices and visible, timely maintenance.
As technicians work on clearing the blockage, residents will be watching for a permanent fix and clearer timelines from Tshwane metro. They say temporary measures and repeated repairs that fail to address root causes have become a familiar cycle — one they hope ends with lasting infrastructure attention.
Local residents with concerns are advised to keep copies of service-request numbers and receipts, and to push for updates through the municipal customer care portal so there is a clear paper trail if problems reoccur.
