Is Phalama SA’s worst smelling village?

Entering the remote rural village of Phalama outside Tshilamba in the Mutale area is like entering a fully opened pit toilet.

The stench of fresh faeces, mixed with the sound of big mosquitoes, is what greets a person when entering the village. This is all because of an unattended sewage dam just on the doorstep of the houses, in the middle of the old sites and the RDP houses not far from the village.

More sites are envisaged to be demarcated, which means the residents will have to bear the big, nauseating stink and to endure untold suffering for as long as it is still there

Resident spokesperson and civic leader Mr Thiathu Tuwani said life had not been easy in the village. “This dam was built in the early 90s, and our understanding at that time was that it was there as a temporary measure and that it would be moved to a more suitable place. We have waited and waited for it to be moved, but nothing has happened since 1996. We are worried that nothing they had promised will happen,” he said.

He said they were told that the dam would be fenced and that there would be workers who would look after the dam, but this did not happen. “Children are at risk of losing their lives and falling ill as they sometimes swim there, not knowing what it is. Our cattle drink this stinking sewage and there are lots of mosquitoes when dusk comes. Recently, many children fell sick and had to be taken to hospital because of the mosquitoes from the dam. The worst part is the stink that is making life unbearable for the residents,” he said.

Tuwani said they had made representations to the government and also to the Presidency, with no positive response. "The only language the government understands is when we take to the streets. We are organizing the mother of all marches ever seen here in Mutale and we are inviting all to support us in this endeavour, be it political parties or human rights organisations; all are welcome,” added Tuwani.

Vhembe District Municipality spokesperson Mr Matodzi Ralushai said he was aware of the problem and that the municipality was in constant talks with the community. He said the dam had been built long before people had settled there and that, because of development, people were moving closer to the plant.

"We are a government by the same people and we have an open-door policy. Sooner rather than later, together with the community, we will find a solution to the problem," he said.

Date:11 April 2014

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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