Serious concerns are mounting over ongoing sewage pollution in the Moqhaka Local Municipality after the Democratic Alliance announced plans to push for urgent intervention following damning findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa.

The Auditor-General recently identified what has been described as a material irregularity at the wastewater treatment works in Kroonstad and Viljoenskroon after finding that the municipality failed to prevent the continued discharge of raw sewage into surrounding rivers and groundwater systems.

According to the report, untreated sewage has been spilling into the Vals River in Kroonstad and the Olifantsdrift River in Viljoenskroon, posing serious health and environmental risks to surrounding communities and farms dependent on these water systems.

DA councillor, Palesa Mpele, said urgent action can no longer be delayed.

“We will be writing to the Department of Water and Sanitation as well as Moqhaka Local Municipality to demand urgent intervention and stronger oversight to ensure corrective measures are implemented without further delay,” said Mpele.

The Auditor-General found that the municipality failed to take reasonable measures to prevent pollution from occurring or recurring, placing it in breach of both the National Environmental Management Act and the National Water Act.

The impact has been classified as causing “substantial harm to the general public,” with both matters already referred to the Department of Water and Sanitation for investigation.

The ongoing sewage spills are raising concerns over possible water contamination, the spread of waterborne diseases and further damage to already strained essential services relied on by residents on a daily basis.

The DA said it will continue pressing for accountability as investigations into the matter continue.