Katima still drowning in rubbish
17 September 2021 | Local News
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Almost three months after the community of Katima Mulilo complained about poor service delivery in the town, which led to streets overflowing with rubbish and sewage, nothing has been done.
Community spokesperson Dave Harvey says he first wrote to the CEO of Katima Mulilo, Raphael Liswaniso, on 14 May to air the community’s grievances.
“The community has had zero positive response. Therefore, we bring an update of the current situation in Katima Mulilo,” Harvey says.
Harvey says sewage still flows down the streets and there appears to be no solution to the problem.
He says there have been attempts to pump the overflow from the streets back into the sewer system, causing more havoc with mud and debris being pumped into the already clogged sewers.
“The dry season is about over and rain is on the way; surely flooding will impact the sewer system.”
He says the dry season would have been the opportune time to maintain the system.
Rubbish dump
Harvey further says that they are still waiting for a new dumpsite.
In 2018 the town council relocated the old dumpsite to a temporary one situated in an industrial area on the outskirts of town.
However, at the beginning of last month the office of the environmental commissioner shut down the site, pointing out that the town council had been receiving compliance orders since 2019 to close it down as it was only meant as a temporary measure.
The council was ordered to relocate the dump to a new, approved site.
“Litter and rubbish lie all around in the streets; collection points are overflowing with rubbish and litter. Levies upon levies are paid by the community and we still have a quiet and dormant town council, avoiding a clean-up situation,” Harvey says.
Although that some action has been taken to fill potholes, the majority of the town’s streets are still riddled with potholes.
Harvey says water supply is the most critical issue at the town.
“When water is continuously disrupted, there is no backup system in place, water pipes are always in a state of disrepair, and power cuts mean water disruptions.”
Attempts to reach Liswaniso for comment proved futile.
WINDHOEK
Almost three months after the community of Katima Mulilo complained about poor service delivery in the town, which led to streets overflowing with rubbish and sewage, nothing has been done.
Community spokesperson Dave Harvey says he first wrote to the CEO of Katima Mulilo, Raphael Liswaniso, on 14 May to air the community’s grievances.
“The community has had zero positive response. Therefore, we bring an update of the current situation in Katima Mulilo,” Harvey says.
Harvey says sewage still flows down the streets and there appears to be no solution to the problem.
He says there have been attempts to pump the overflow from the streets back into the sewer system, causing more havoc with mud and debris being pumped into the already clogged sewers.
“The dry season is about over and rain is on the way; surely flooding will impact the sewer system.”
He says the dry season would have been the opportune time to maintain the system.
Rubbish dump
Harvey further says that they are still waiting for a new dumpsite.
In 2018 the town council relocated the old dumpsite to a temporary one situated in an industrial area on the outskirts of town.
However, at the beginning of last month the office of the environmental commissioner shut down the site, pointing out that the town council had been receiving compliance orders since 2019 to close it down as it was only meant as a temporary measure.
The council was ordered to relocate the dump to a new, approved site.
“Litter and rubbish lie all around in the streets; collection points are overflowing with rubbish and litter. Levies upon levies are paid by the community and we still have a quiet and dormant town council, avoiding a clean-up situation,” Harvey says.
Although that some action has been taken to fill potholes, the majority of the town’s streets are still riddled with potholes.
Harvey says water supply is the most critical issue at the town.
“When water is continuously disrupted, there is no backup system in place, water pipes are always in a state of disrepair, and power cuts mean water disruptions.”
Attempts to reach Liswaniso for comment proved futile.
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