For more than 30 years, residents of Mahonisi village in Waterval Section B, near Elim, have lived with raw sewage flowing through their streets and into nearby streams. Many say the crisis began shortly after 1994 and has been ignored ever since.
In 2022, the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) promised to address the sewage leaks, but the problem remains unresolved. Residents complain that the constant stench has forced some to abandon their homes.
They say that attempts to report the issue to VDM have yielded no lasting results. One resident had to shut down her tuck shop because of the unbearable smell. According to residents, the problem started when 160mm sewer pipes were installed as part of a development plan that never fully materialised. The small pipes get blocked frequently, leading to repeated overflows.
Paul Mathebula, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said municipal workers regularly unblocked the pipes, but a permanent solution had never followed. "The smell is worse at night, and the children complain constantly. It poses serious health risks," he said.
When Limpopo Mirror visited the area recently, municipal workers were seen attempting to upgrade the system. Children were spotted walking near open streams of sewage. Workers said they often found sanitary pads, clothing and other non-flushable items – including traditional Xibelani skirts – blocking the pipes.
Residents say illegal room rentals have added pressure to the already strained system. "Some of us don't even have flushing toilets. We live like this without water. I can't even sit outside with my family," said elderly resident Selina Hlungwani.
Ward committee member Jephrey Mahlati said many areas in the village had no water, and some sewage lines had even run dry. "We urge residents not to throw cans, diapers or clothes into the system as they cause blockages," he said. Mahlati added that although the municipality had fixed the sewage lines several times, illegal connections – mostly from accommodation units and households – worsened the problem.
VDM spokesperson Moses Shibambu confirmed that the sewer line has been repeatedly blocked by foreign objects, including sandbags and solid waste. He added that illegal household connections, which were never accounted for in the original design, had overwhelmed the system.
Shibambu said the municipality planned to upgrade the existing 160mm pipes to 200mm to handle the increased load. The work, to be carried out by municipal staff, is expected to be completed by September 2025, pending procurement processes. In the meantime, he said, the municipality had unblocked the line and cleaned it, using high-pressure jetting. Households with illegal connections have been notified of possible penalties.
He added that awareness campaigns would be launched to educate residents about illegal connections and proper waste disposal.
* The name of the VDM spokesperson was initially stated as Matodzi Ralushai, but it was corrected to be Moses Shibambu.