LIMPOPO – Residents of Raptors View Estate continue to endure foul odours from the Leguaan sewage pump station, prompting growing calls for a public-private partnership to manage the facility more effectively.

Democratic Alliance (DA) political head for Maruleng Local Municipality (MLM), Marie Helm, confirmed that the party has written to Mopani District Municipality (MDM) Mayor Pule Shayi, urging the municipality to consider such a partnership.

“Last Saturday’s oversight visit to the pump station and surrounding areas revealed severe sewage spills into Raptors View Estate, the adjacent Southern Cross School grounds, nearby dams, and the Zandspruit River, which ultimately feeds into the Blyde River,” Helm said.

She described the pump station as being in a state of neglect, with water furrows along Leguaan Street overgrown and blocked, causing stagnant water to flow directly into the station.

This accumulation of sand and debris is clogging sewage pipes, leading to repeated spills.

Helm also accused MDM of failing to rehabilitate affected areas, leaving Raptors View Estate to bear the costs of purchasing expensive chemicals to mitigate raw sewage pollution.

“This is not the first time MDM has mismanaged pump stations. Major sewage spills in September 2023 and 2024 have endangered public health and polluted the environment on an unprecedented scale. This is not only criminal but a violation of residents’ human rights to a clean environment,” she said.

According to her, a public-private partnership would allow for proper management, upgrades, and repairs to prevent future sewage spills, which pose a serious health risk and threaten the pristine Blyde River ecosystem.

MDM spokesperson Odas Ngobeni acknowledged the problem, stating that the municipality is implementing short-term measures while awaiting funding through the 10% Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to resolve the issue permanently.

“A public-private partnership is something the council would consider. We have previously worked with the private sector, such as PMC in Ba-Phalaborwa, to address service delivery challenges. However, the format of such a partnership would need council approval,” Ngobeni said.