Rundu residents fume over hotel’s alleged sewage crisis
Residents preparing to reach out to town council
The hotel's owner this week insisted that the overflow was caused by kitchen and laundry water and did not consist of human waste sewage.
Residents of Rundu’s Kehemu and Tuhingireni settlements have raised concerns over persistent sewage problems allegedly linked to Rundu Hotel, accusing authorities of ignoring the crisis.
The hotel, situated along the Trans-Zambezi Highway, has reportedly been discharging untreated wastewater into the surrounding area, creating serious health hazards for nearby communities.
According to concerned residents, raw sewage allegedly flows onto a busy pedestrian street, which also includes commuters travelling between Kehemu and Tuhingireni.
Frustration has mounted over what they perceive as official inaction.
Responding to the allegations, Rundu Hotel’s manager, Hafeni Shiponeni, in a telephone interview with Namibian Sun yesterday, denied the allegations, insisting that the overflow was not caused by toilet waste but by kitchen and laundry water.
“The problem started when one of our septic tanks filled up and wasn’t emptied in time, leading to an overflow,” Shiponeni explained. He added that the matter was being resolved.
Mounting concerns
Adding to their concerns, hotel management is accused of constructing a manhole at a road intersection behind the establishment, further exacerbating the alleged sewage overflow.
Witnesses describe frequent leaks from the hotel’s plumbing system, with waste – including alleged faecal matter – spilling onto the streets, exposing residents to unbearable smells and unhygienic conditions.
Fearing a potential health disaster, residents warn that continued negligence could lead to an outbreak of diseases such as hepatitis E.
"Are authorities waiting for a disease outbreak before they act?" one resident asked.
A formal complaint is now being prepared for the town council’s CEO, urging swift intervention. "We are tired of being treated like second-class citizens in our own country," a frustrated resident said.
Sewage allegations denied
Shiponeni attributed the issue to worker negligence, saying although the hotel has a septic system, along with a trailer, a tank and an emptying machine, the initial method used to clear the tank was ineffective.
“They didn’t check the water level properly, which caused the overflow. But the issue has since been resolved. Right now, our people are busy emptying the septic tank.”
Dismissing fears of contamination, Shiponeni added: "This is not toilet water but kitchen and laundry water," and assured the public that the matter was under control.
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The hotel, situated along the Trans-Zambezi Highway, has reportedly been discharging untreated wastewater into the surrounding area, creating serious health hazards for nearby communities.
According to concerned residents, raw sewage allegedly flows onto a busy pedestrian street, which also includes commuters travelling between Kehemu and Tuhingireni.
Frustration has mounted over what they perceive as official inaction.
Responding to the allegations, Rundu Hotel’s manager, Hafeni Shiponeni, in a telephone interview with Namibian Sun yesterday, denied the allegations, insisting that the overflow was not caused by toilet waste but by kitchen and laundry water.
“The problem started when one of our septic tanks filled up and wasn’t emptied in time, leading to an overflow,” Shiponeni explained. He added that the matter was being resolved.
Mounting concerns
Adding to their concerns, hotel management is accused of constructing a manhole at a road intersection behind the establishment, further exacerbating the alleged sewage overflow.
Witnesses describe frequent leaks from the hotel’s plumbing system, with waste – including alleged faecal matter – spilling onto the streets, exposing residents to unbearable smells and unhygienic conditions.
Fearing a potential health disaster, residents warn that continued negligence could lead to an outbreak of diseases such as hepatitis E.
"Are authorities waiting for a disease outbreak before they act?" one resident asked.
A formal complaint is now being prepared for the town council’s CEO, urging swift intervention. "We are tired of being treated like second-class citizens in our own country," a frustrated resident said.
Sewage allegations denied
Shiponeni attributed the issue to worker negligence, saying although the hotel has a septic system, along with a trailer, a tank and an emptying machine, the initial method used to clear the tank was ineffective.
“They didn’t check the water level properly, which caused the overflow. But the issue has since been resolved. Right now, our people are busy emptying the septic tank.”
Dismissing fears of contamination, Shiponeni added: "This is not toilet water but kitchen and laundry water," and assured the public that the matter was under control.
- [email protected]
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