LIMPOPO – The DA has threatened to report the Mopani District Municipality (MDM) and Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) to the environmental management inspectorate, known as the Green Scorpions, over a persistent sewage spill in Section F, Giyani.

Residents endure months of sewage overflow

DA Clr Rodney Tito Mavundza said the sewage has been leaking into the residential area for the past five months, creating what he described as inhumane living conditions for residents and posing potential health risks.

Mavundza said he intends to lodge a formal complaint with the Green Scorpions on Monday, accusing the two municipalities of failing to repair the damaged sewer infrastructure despite being aware of the problem.

DA prepares Green Scorpions complaint

“I am going to file a complaint for failing to repair a main sewage pipe that has been leaking raw sewage into the Section F residential area for five months,” he said.

Mavundza explained that residents have been forced to endure foul odours and the risks associated with raw sewage, adding that the prolonged spill has negatively affected their quality of life.

According to Mavundza, one household has been particularly affected by the overflowing sewage. He alleged that officials from both the MDM and GGM had previously inspected the site but that no lasting solution had been implemented.

Poor maintenance blamed for recurring spills

“The lack of routine maintenance on ageing sewage infrastructure results in spills such as these, which have serious consequences for rate-paying residents,” he said.

Municipality says new sewer line installed

Responding to the allegations, GGM spokesperson Steve Mavunda said the problem was caused by an old main sewer line that had been extensively tampered with and could no longer cope with the volume of sewage flowing through it.

He said the recurring failures prompted the MDM to appoint a contractor to replace the damaged main sewer line.

Final manhole work still outstanding

“A new sewer line has since been constructed, and I have been informed that the pipe-laying process has been completed. The only outstanding work, which was not part of the district’s intervention, is the construction of the manholes,” said Mavunda.

He said GGM’s technical team has been working on the outstanding manholes and is close to completing the work. Mavunda added that municipal workers had already unblocked the sewer system on Friday, restoring its normal operation.

Officials insist sewage blockage has been cleared

As the ground dries up, it will become evident that the blockage has been cleared because there will be no further sewage leaks,” added Mavunda, emphasising that the sewage has been unblocked.