The Democratic Alliance (DA) will lay charges against Mayor Kgotso Khumalo and Municipal Manager, Cyril Henry, for allowing residents to live in inhumane and undignified conditions due to the ongoing sewage spill in Ikageng. 

This announcement followed their oversight inspection in Ikageng on Monday (16 April)

According to Leon Basson, shadow minister for water and sanitation, they will ask Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Gugile Nkwinti, to immediately intervene and to ensure that the sewage spill is fixed.

According to Basson the sewage spills directly into people’s houses. 

“One resident resorted to relocating as the sewage spilt directly into his shack and the stench was unbearable. Residents at Extension 11 also told the DA that due to the spillage, the roads in the area are inaccessible and when they get sick ambulances cannot access the area easily. The police are also unable to monitor the area which makes it an easy target for criminal activities.” said Basson. 

The DA also inspected the Kanana area where they found that in one area the sewage spills directly into a community hall and a school. Learners have to cross the sewage dam on a daily basis just to get to school.

Residents told the DA that they have on many occasions reported the issue to the municipality, however, the issue is never fixed.

According to the DA the JB Marks council approved an R12 million budget last year to upgrade the sewage system, however, to date there has not been any actual work or improvement in the area.

*At the time of publication, the Municipality had not responded to the Herald’s request for comment