The Fochville outfall sewer line project — already the focus of public outrage and national headlines — remains incomplete, despite millions of rands being poured into it over several years.

The project, which gained national attention in 2019 when a worker was killed in a trench collapse, continues to face delays and setbacks. Although no further fatalities have occurred, progress has been slow and increasingly frustrating for residents.

According to the municipality’s mid-year financial and performance assessment report released in December 2024, more than R8.5 million was allocated to the project for the 2024/2025 financial year, funded by a national government grant for mining towns.

Lihuzi Projects (Pty) Ltd was appointed as the project consultant, and Kaneka Civil and Construction as the main contractor.

Between August and December 2024, over R7.1 million was paid out. However, it’s unclear whether any payments were made after that period.

In April, municipal spokesperson Temba Fezani told the Herald that the project “should be complete by the end of the financial year,” blaming earlier delays on issues with local SMMEs, which he said had been resolved.

But as of this week — well past the June 30 end of the financial year — the project site remains unfinished.

Large excavations are still visible along Danie Theron Street, parts of which remain cordoned off. Raw sewage continues to flow into the Loopspruit, and additional seepage from a nearby manhole is spreading a strong, unpleasant odor across the area.

The Herald reached out again to the municipality for comment on when the project will finally be completed, but no response was received at the time of publication.