KNYSNA NEWS - Chantél Kovacs (44), a long-standing Knysna resident, says both her health and her property have deteriorated to such an extent that she lodged a claim against Knysna Municipality for extensive damage allegedly caused by persistent sewage overflows and blocked municipal drains. 

However, her claim has been rejected by Guardrisk, the municipality's appointed insurer.

The estimated value of Kovacs' insurance claim is R182 000, excluding damage to her property outside the house, she says.

Kovacs, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, a heart condition and stage one liver cancer, says repeated sewage flooding at her Market Street home has aggravated her health conditions. She further alleges that her daughter, Mia Kovacs (16), who has asthma, has experienced respiratory complications that she believes are linked to damp and mould inside the house.

Years of recurring sewage flooding

In a sworn affidavit submitted with her claim, Kovacs alleges her property has been flooded with raw sewage on more than six occasions over several years due to recurring blockages in the municipal sewer system. 

She says she repeatedly reported the problem to municipal officials, the Fire Department and ward councillor Peter Bester, but that no permanent solution has been implemented.

Kovacs states that before the severe storms in May this year, she requested that municipal drains be cleared and asked for sandbags to protect her property.

She alleges no assistance was provided before floodwater mixed with raw sewage entered her home through plumbing fixtures, damaging flooring, cupboards, furniture and carpets, and causing extensive mould to develop throughout the house. 

The property has been featured on Carte Blanche over the same sewage flooding issue, and Kovacs alleges the overflows have continued.

Claim and supporting evidence

Kovacs submitted a sworn affidavit, photographs, repair quotations, proof of ownership and confirmation that she no longer had household insurance after cancelling her policy because she could no longer afford the premiums.

A photograph submitted to Knysna Municipality’s appointed insurer, Guardrisk, shows a municipal worker removing debris from a blocked stormwater drain near Chantél Kovacs’s residence in Market Street. The image formed part of Kovacs’s insurance claim relating to alleged damage caused by repeated flooding. Photos: Supplied

Supporting correspondence included with the claim shows that Bester informed municipal officials that teams clearing the sewer line had removed roots and debris from the system.

In separate correspondence, he also highlighted recurring blockages, poor sewer flow and inadequate stormwater management as issues requiring urgent attention. Kovacs contends this correspondence supports her claim that the recurring blockages originated within the municipal sewer network rather than on her property.

Insurer rejects claim

Guardrisk rejected the claim after concluding the municipality was not liable under its insurance policy. Kovacs has since disputed the decision and written to the Municipal Manager and Director of Infrastructure, Regenald Wesso, arguing that the available evidence shows the flooding originated from the municipal sewer system.

Municipality responds

Knysna Municipality's communications manager, Christopher Bezuidenhout, said the municipality does not discuss individual administrative complaints through the media. He said the claim was processed in accordance with the municipality's standard procedures and within the prescribed timeframe. Following an assessment, the municipality's insurer "found no basis to hold the municipality liable".

Bezuidenhout added that if Kovacs remains dissatisfied, she may refer the matter to the appropriate insurance ombud for independent consideration. The municipality did not comment on her specific allegations regarding recurring sewer blockages or the condition of the sewerage infrastructure.

Kovacs said she intends pursuing the matter further and is seeking compensation for the alleged damage to her home and belongings while calling on the municipality to implement a permanent solution to the recurring sewage problem.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’