The DA in Mpumalanga has learnt that a number of municipalities are still at loggerheads with the Department of Water and Sanitation for failing to comply with water infrastructure standards.
It is understood that non-complaint Wastewater Treatment Works and continuous pollution of the water resources and environment is the main issue. As a result, the department has initiated legal proceedings against Thaba Chweu, Lekwa, Emalahleni, Dipaleseng and Msukaligwa. Litigations against these municipalities are at different stages and according to a report from the department, these are the latest developments:
- Dipaleseng – The department issued several administrative enforcement letters to the municipality. In the letters, the department flagged out the municipality’s non-compliance at the water plant. It is understood that the municipality failed to rectify their mistakes, prompting the department to open a criminal case against them. The matter has since been handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution. The matter was heard in court on the 11 of December and 29 January, and it has since been postponed to 4th of April.
- Thaba Chweu – The department is closely monitoring compliance and ensuring that the municipality complies with a court order directing them to rectify the non-compliance and ensure that pollution does not recur.
- Emalahleni – The department has exhausted the administrative enforcement process and has opened a criminal case against the municipality. The matter was referred to the NPA for prosecution and the Department is waiting for a court date. According to the report, Civil Enforcement action has been initiated in relation to the pollution taking place in all the Wastewater Systems of Emalahleni and the Department has consulted council, and they are finalizing the proposed court order for the relief.
- Msukaligwa – The municipality is said to be implementing a project aimed at unblocking the sewer network and upgrading the wastewater system. The municipality is also under the department’s surveillance.
- Lekwa – The municipality has initiated various projects aimed at unblocking the sewer network, refurbishing the sewer pump stations, and upgrading the Wastewater TreatmentWorks. The projects are currently underway, and the department is monitoring their implementation to ensure compliance.
The DA is concerned that these ANC municipalities are not coping with the demand for basic services. In some municipalities, residents are still subject to inconsistent water supply because of the alleged dysfunctional infrastructure used at the wastewater treatment.
The municipality’s sanitation service is also on a downward spiral. Over the years, it has become clear that the wastewater plant capacity no longer meets effluent demand, with sewer spillages only being attended to within resource and capacity constraints.
Our municipalities can no longer be held hostage by the ANC government. Flaunting regulations has become a norm, while residents are suffering. The DA calls on the department of CoGTA to crack the whip on municipal officials who have failed to carry out their duties with diligence and contravened the water act.