Press Statement By Nwabisa Tlhakudi: DA Councillor in Gert Sibande District Municipality
- Residents of Standerton Ext 6 are subjected to raw sewage flowing in their yards.
- The municipality has done little to address this.
- We have asked the municipality to dispatch its team to this community
7 July 2026
Release: Immediate
The DA in Lekwa calls on the Acting Municipal Manager, Thobeka Mtshiselwa, to urgently attend to raw sewage flowing through various households in Standerton, Ext 6.
It must be noted that sewage overflow can contain bacteria, intestinal worms, parasitic organisms and other harmful pathogens.
Because of the above, residents are exposed to diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, amongst others. Children are also exposed to this hazardous environment daily.
During an oversight, we found that the sewer pipe has been removed and remains disconnected. The water infrastructure is also dangerously close to the sewage spill. The overflow of this sewer can also cause damage to property.
This raw sewage impacts negatively on our water systems in Lekwa and it is exacerbated by dysfunctional sewer pump stations. The community’s right to potable water is infringed as they also cannot consume water from their taps.
It is disturbing to witness how the municipality has turned a blind eye to raw sewage over the years. The municipality’s ignorance speaks volumes about the ANC’s governance considering that their negligence is likely to affect water resources in some parts of this community.
Our communities deserve reliable and efficient municipal services, and it is unacceptable for residents to suffer due to negligence and poor management. Notably, this is a municipality that has previously been found guilty by the courts for contravening the National Environmental Management Act 59 of 2008.
It is crucial for the municipality to start being transparent and take accountability for their failures. The municipality’s alleged mismanagement of funds intended for projects that are aimed at addressing the critical infrastructure is now catching up with them.
Lekwa can no longer be held hostage by an uncaring ANC government. We will continue holding the municipality accountable, residents of this town have a right to a healthy and a sustainable environment.