Mlungisi Bulk Sewer Upgrade to Bring Jobs and Infrastructure Relief

Residents of Mlungisi in Komani have been promised both jobs and better basic services as the long-awaited bulk sewer line re-routing and upgrade officially gets underway. The project, which covers Ward 11, Ward 16 and Ward 17 of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM), was launched on Friday during a community meeting at the Mzingisi Skweyiya Community Hall.

The announcement was led by Executive Mayor Cllr Lusanda Sizani, alongside EMLM Executive Mayor Cllr Madoda Papiyana, Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs), and local ward councillors. Together, they introduced the appointed contractor to the community, marking the formal start of the six-month project.

Job Creation and Local Opportunities

The sewer upgrade will not only tackle long-standing infrastructure challenges in Mlungisi but also bring much-needed temporary jobs to local residents. At least 10 community members, including a Community Liaison Officer (CLO), will be employed during the project period, offering families a chance to put food on the table.

Municipal leaders stressed that while the jobs are short-term, they are part of a broader effort to stimulate local economic activity and ensure residents directly benefit from public projects.

“This is more than just a construction project. It is a chance for our people to gain work experience, earn an income, and see service delivery taking place where it matters most,” said Mayor Sizani.

Infrastructure Challenges in Focus

For years, communities in Mlungisi have struggled with aged sewer systems, frequent blockages, and spillages that not only created health risks but also undermined residents’ confidence in local government. The re-routing and upgrading of the bulk sewer line is expected to improve sanitation, reduce service disruptions, and strengthen long-term infrastructure reliability in Komani.

MMC for Infrastructure, Cllr Bongeka Nobuntu, led detailed community engagements, assuring residents that issues of work ethic, fairness in recruitment, and timely payments would be strictly monitored.

“We want to avoid misunderstandings that often arise in municipal projects. Transparency and accountability are crucial, and the community will be kept informed throughout the process,” said Nobuntu.

Community Response

Local residents at the meeting welcomed the initiative, noting that while ten jobs may seem small, the impact on affected families is significant. Others, however, expressed concern about whether the project would be completed on time and whether the quality of work would be up to standard.

A ward councillor present at the meeting urged residents to take ownership of the project by protecting municipal assets and working with the contractor to prevent vandalism and theft, which have undermined past projects.

Looking Ahead

The project is scheduled to run for six months, with the municipality promising regular updates on progress. Leaders have framed the sewer line upgrade as part of a larger commitment to restore basic service delivery, rebuild community trust, and create opportunities in a municipality that has often been criticised for mismanagement and failing infrastructure.

“Every pipe we lay and every job we create is a step forward for Komani,” Mayor Sizani concluded. “This is about building the kind of municipality our people deserve.”