LIMPOPO – The Mopani District Municipality (MDM) has rejected claims made by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that it is failing to refurbish and maintain deteriorating wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across the district.

Last week, the Herald reported that DA Cllr Mahaltswa Lebbeus Ramapele lodged a complaint with the Green Scorpions, accusing MDM of neglecting its responsibility to repair ageing, leaking WWTPs.

Ramapele alleged that untreated wastewater is being discharged into local rivers, posing a serious health and environmental threat.

In response, MDM spokesperson Odas Ngobeni refuted the allegations, stating that the municipality has not diverted any money meant for wastewater infrastructure.

“It is not true that the council decided to reallocate funds to other Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) projects,” said Ngobeni. “The 10% MIG funding is part of a pilot initiative in MDM, and we’ve had to address several technical challenges in consultation with the Department of Water and Sanitation, as well as CoGHSTA. Refurbishment of the wastewater treatment plants will proceed in the new financial year, as outlined in the budget speech.”

Despite the municipality’s assurances, Ramapele maintains that the situation is urgent. He warned that the continued release of untreated effluent threatens the health of residents and the environment.

“Exposure to contaminated water increases the risk of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea,” he told the Herald. “Many people use this water for washing clothes, bathing, cooking, and even drinking.”

Ramapele pointed to wastewater plants in Lulekane, Namakgale, and Lenyenye as particularly concerning.

During a recent oversight visit, he said, untreated sewage was observed flowing into nearby rivers, endangering not only human health but also livestock, groundwater, and surrounding ecosystems.