Press Statement by James Masango: DA Mayoral Candidate in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality
- Charl Cilliers Wastewater Treatment Plant project remains inoperable despite construction starting in 2018.
- DA oversight revealed the absence of sewage inflow, reiterating that houses are not connected to the treatment plant.
- We have asked the Municipal Manager to take accountability.
15 September 2026
Release: Immediate
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Govan Mbeki has written to the Municipal Manager, Elliot Maseko, demanding answers on a stalled wastewater treatment plant project in Charl Cilliers.
According to documents that were presented in the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), it is evident that the municipality began constructing the 1.8ML/day wastewater treatment plant in Charl Cilliers during 2018. Being undertaken in two phases, it can be noted that the municipality spent in excess of R35 million on Phase 1 of the project which started in November.
Additionally, the municipality agreed to spend just over R12 million on Phase 2 of the project which was to run between April 2023 to September 2023. However, this completion date was later shifted to May 2024 and thereafter April 2026.
Despite spending R46 million on it, the DA finds it concerning to note that the project remains incomplete till today. Some of the reasons that have been cited include delays in the appointment of subcontractors, slow progress on clarifiers and resource constraints by contractors.
Last week, I conducted an oversight in Charl Cilliers and I was shocked to see that although construction started over seven years ago, the project has become white elephant because it will remain inoperable for years to come. This is because the nearby community uses septic tanks and there is no sewerage that connects the nearby houses to the treatment plant.
It can never be business as usual while Govan Mbeki fails to provide the most basic of services to its people. Under a DA government, we will ensure that we appoint competent contractors, that is based on merit and not political connections.
For media queries:
James Masango
DA Mayoral Candidate in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality
082 891 0717