President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for immediate action to address the escalating water and sanitation crisis in the Mogale City Local Municipality, following reports of untreated sewage being discharged into local water systems.

This follows a News24 article published on October 13 about the sewage crisis in Mogale City, which has been verified as ‘broadly accurate’ by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya expressed the president’s grave concern regarding recent media reports about the discharge of untreated sewage in the Mogale City Local Municipality.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that the situation has been allowed to reach such untenable levels, costing business sustainability, jobs, and livelihoods.

“President Ramaphosa wants the situation addressed urgently and insists that those responsible for this state of decline be held accountable,” Magwenya said.

Since 2019, the DWS has issued multiple notices and directives to the Mogale City Municipality under the National Water Act 36 of 1998, instructing it to address sewage pollution. However, these directives have been ignored, prompting the DWS to lay criminal charges against the municipality for sewage pollution in August 2023.

The department is currently working with law enforcement to investigate the case and compile a docket.

Ramaphosa expressed grave concern about the severe risks the pollution poses to public health, agriculture, economic activity, and the environment.

“For the president, this situation poses a serious risk to human health, agriculture, economic activity, and the environment. The sewage pollution from the municipality is adversely impacting the Cradle of Humankind, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site,” Magwenya said.

In response, Ramaphosa has written to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, urging him to engage with the municipality under section 139 of the Constitution.

“The president urged the premier to work with the municipality to ensure all measures are taken to urgently address the situation. Key among these measures is to repair and restore the Percy Steward wastewater treatment to full functionality,” Magwenya said.

The presidential spokesperson added that this may require partnerships with businesses in the area, which should be explored. – SAnews.gov.za