COLCHESTER, EASTERN CAPE — Months after devastating floods swept through the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, residents in Colchester are still grappling with the aftermath, living surrounded by stagnant, foul-smelling water in their streets and yards.
The lingering crisis stems from a series of severe weather events that began with devastating floods in early May, around the 6th and 7th, followed by a second round of flooding in early June, around the 3rd and 4th. Now, more than two months later, the water has not receded, transforming some streets into complete dams and leaving roughly 18 to 19 houses heavily flooded.
The stagnant water has sparked severe health and sanitation concerns across the neighborhood, which relies entirely on septic tanks. Because the area remains submerged, the risk of septic tanks overflowing is exceptionally high. This has led to a hazardous mixture of raw sewage and floodwater. One resident, Simon, reported that his backyard is currently filled with a toxic blend of sewage and stagnant water following an overflow from his septic system.
For other residents, the financial and emotional toll of the unending floods has been immense. A resident identified as Mr. Les described the situation as an absolute nightmare, noting that he has spent significant out-of-pocket funds trying to mitigate the damage. He attempted to pump the water out of his backyard, but the effort proved futile; the streets are also flooded with absolutely no drainage, meaning the pumped water simply flows back into the surrounding area.
To protect his property, Mr. Les had to construct a barrier on his driveway, spending over 6,000 rand on crusher stone and having to repeatedly replace pumps that burnt out from the continuous use. With a sick wife and a young daughter at home, he has taken it upon himself to purchase and pour chlorine into the water surrounding his property to keep it clear and eliminate immediate health hazards. However, he notes that the water remains dirty and foul-smelling in areas where the chlorine is not applied.
Residents express deep frustration over the lack of municipal intervention. Following the June floods, municipal officials, including Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, visited Colchester to assess the damage. During the visit, the mayor and municipal representatives spoke directly with the residents, promising to return and assist with extracting the stagnant water from both the streets and private yards.
Despite these assurances, the community reports seeing little to no follow-up or assistance since the initial assessment. Vehicles continue to sustain damage navigating the flooded roads, and families remain trapped in unsanitary conditions.
The municipality was contacted for comment regarding the ongoing crisis and the broken promises of assistance, but a response had not yet been provided at the time of publication. As more rain is forecasted in the region, residents of Colchester remain anxious, waiting for the promised relief to materialize before the next storm hits.
