President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed grave concerns about untreated sewage in the Mogale City local municipality. Photographer : Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)
Despite ongoing water shortages across the province, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed grave concerns about untreated sewage in the Mogale City local municipality.
During a media briefing on Wednesday, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the department of water and sanitation (DWS) was assisting the police in investigating the municipality's alleged practice of discharging untreated sewage into local river streams.
“For the president, this situation poses a significant risk to human health, agriculture, economic activity, and the environment,” Magwenya said.
“The sewage pollution from the municipality is adversely affecting the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Ramaphosa has written to the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, urging him to engage with the municipality in accordance with Section 139 of the Constitution.
The DWS confirmed that a recent News 24 article was largely accurate, highlighting the municipality's practice of discharging untreated sewage into local river streams.
The department was assisting the police to investigate the charges and compiling a case docket.
Since 2019, the DWS has issued multiple notices and directives to the municipality regarding sewage pollution, yet the municipality has failed to comply, prompting the department to file criminal charges in August 2023.
Ramaphosa urged Lesufi to collaborate with the municipality to urgently address the situation.
Key among these measures is the repair and restoration of the Percy Steward wastewater treatment facility, Magwenya noted.
"It is absolutely unacceptable that the situation has deteriorated to such untenable levels, jeopardising business sustainability, jobs, and livelihoods."
Ramaphosa is demanding urgent action and accountability for those responsible for the decline, he emphasised.
Municipalities, including Emfuleni and major metros like Ekurhuleni, Joburg, and Tshwane, have also been grappling with water shortages and pollution.
Residents of Thembisa in Ekurhuleni have gone over five days without water from their taps, with water tankers delivering supplies to the area. The city has yet to intervene.
Meanwhile, municipal mayor Danny Thupane resigned on Wednesday, just before a motion of confidence against him. He served for 18 months.
Ramaphosa is expected to address questions in Parliament on Thursday.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics