Ekurhuleni Mayor Xhakaza pins sewer leaks on residents' behaviour

JOHANNESBURG - Newly elected City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza insists residents are partially responsible for sewer leaks across the city.

This is despite Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka previously attributing the spillages in the municipality to poor infrastructure maintenance.

Speaking during 702’s election town hall on Wednesday, Katlehong residents listed sewer leaks as one of their major concerns.

Responding to the grievance, Xhakaza said the government could only do so much to prevent the leaks.

“Communities themselves are throwing foreign objects into the sewer lines and that is where we must run many community awareness campaigns. The sewer line is designed to carry that which you flush and shower water. When our communities slaughter [animals], they throw all those stuff into sewer lines.”