President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent intervention to address the ongoing sewage crisis in Mogale City, following mounting concerns about untreated sewage contaminating local water systems.
Story Summary:
- President Cyril Ramaphosa is pressing for immediate repairs to Mogale City’s wastewater treatment facility, following an environmental and health crisis caused by untreated sewage.
- The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued multiple directives since 2019, which the municipality has largely ignored, resulting in criminal charges.
- The crisis has heavily impacted the Cradle of Humankind and raised questions about local mismanagement and financial prioritisation.
Ramaphosa demands action on Mogale City sewage crisis
The sewage spill has caused significant environmental damage and public health risks, particularly in areas surrounding the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The crisis, which has been unfolding since 2019, has escalated despite several warnings and directives from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).
The department confirmed that it had issued multiple notices to the Mogale City Local Municipality under the National Water Act, demanding action to stop the pollution.
However, these notices were ignored, leading to criminal charges against the municipality in August 2023.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, in a media briefing on Wednesday, reiterated Ramaphosa’s frustration, describing the situation as “absolutely unacceptable”.
He stressed the urgency of repairing the Percy Steward Wastewater Treatment Facility, which is critical to resolving the sewage issue.
Ramaphosa has requested Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to engage with the municipality under Section 139 of the Constitution to ensure accountability and swift resolution.
The sewage pollution crisis has not only harmed the environment but also posed serious risks to local agriculture and economic activities.
The pollution has contaminated rivers that flow through the Cradle of Humankind, jeopardising both the livelihoods of residents and tourism.
The Department of Water and Sanitation has pledged to continue supporting law enforcement investigations to compile a strong case against those responsible.
In the meantime, the DWS has suggested that partnerships with local businesses may be necessary to fund the repairs to the wastewater treatment facility.
Mismanagement and financial irregularities in Mogale City
The crisis has further revealed glaring issues of mismanagement within Mogale City’s governance.
Reports indicate that despite receiving over R35 million from the DWS to fund critical repairs to the Percy Steward Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW), little progress has been made.
Instead, there are allegations that the municipality has prioritised vanity projects, such as constructing a new office block costing R150 million, while neglecting essential water and sanitation infrastructure.
WaterCAN, an advocacy group, has called for an immediate audit by the Auditor-General’s office to investigate whether the funds allocated for the WWTW repairs were misused.
The group has also urged for the implementation of strict measures to ring-fence water and sanitation tariffs to prevent further mismanagement and to ensure that infrastructure repairs are prioritised.