Residents stuck in middle of Pretoria North sewer dispute

The long-running sewage overflow at the Pretoria North entrance of has now escalated into a tug-of-war between the Tshwane metro and AfriForum.

Frustration among residents has grown, as hazardous road conditions, repeated repair failures, and stalled municipal interventions have stretched over the last five months.

The problem, which can be traced back to a collapsed sewer pipe beneath Rachel de Beer Street, has left one of the main access points into Pretoria North almost unusable.

Pooling sewage water, potholes, and a deteriorating road surface have turned a key gateway into what residents describe as a ‘dirt road’, creating serious safety risks for both motorists and pedestrians.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo previously confirmed that the issue stems from a collapsed sewer pipe and admitted that repairs are complicated due to the difficulty in accessing the pipe, as it is encased in concrete.

Mashigo said the metro’s technical team is conducting detailed investigations to identify a long-lasting solution, stressing that a permanent repair is vital to prevent future collapses.

Recently, the municipality claimed it has made progress on the matter.

“Following an assessment and investigation, the metro has managed to resolve the sewer overflow, enabling the team to remove the sludge and expose the collapsed pipe,” said Mashigo.

However, residents remain sceptical as they believe the metro has dragged its feet on the issue, pointing to two previous failed repair attempts that did not address the root causes of the problem.

Mokgadi Supe, Director of Region 1’s (North-western) Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution, explained that the age and location of the sewer line complicate repairs.

One section of the pipe lies beneath Rachel de Beer Street and has been boxed in with concrete to withstand the load of traffic passing above and next to it, making it extremely difficult to access.

Another section runs beneath a retail wall, further limiting replacement options.

According to Supe, “The recurring sewer collapse at the entrance of Pretoria North has been attended to on three occasions previously.

“However, every time after the repairs, a new damaged area occurred. The damaged pipe has now been referred to the capex project for pipe replacement.”

Against this backdrop of municipal delays, the AfriForum Noord van die Berg branch announced it would take matters into its own hands through a community-driven repair initiative.

“This issue has been going on for too long and only gets worse. We decided to act before the problem gets really out of hand,” said AfriForum representative Llewellynn Hemmens.

The organisation has launched a donation-matching campaign, pledging to contribute one rand for every rand donated by residents.

Contributions have already passed R75 000. According to Hemmens, the estimated cost of repairs stands at R130 000, which covers materials, labour, inspection, and pothole repairs.

AfriForum plans to reline the pipe and clear the blockage, a process that apparently could be completed in a single day under ideal circumstances.

“There are usually some other issues that can’t be planned for, but it should just take about 24 hours,” Hemmens said.

He dismissed criticism that AfriForum is taking over municipal responsibilities.

“We wouldn’t have to get involved if the metro managed its resources correctly. This issue has been going on for more than five months, and still nothing.

“How long do we have to wait? I say we must take responsibility for our own communities and start building our own future.”

The metro, however, has pushed back strongly against AfriForum’s involvement.

Mashigo said that all repair work is being carried out by its own internal teams, with oversight and monitoring to ensure safety and quality standards.

“The repair work is being carried out by an internal team within the city,” the media team said.

Asked if AfriForum had been granted wayleave to conduct repairs, the metro flatly denied this.

The municipality further emphasised that all maintenance will remain under municipal control and that organisations like AfriForum will not play a formal role in infrastructure repairs.

“All maintenance works are handled by the metro. Should there be a need to outsource the work, it will be to an appointed service provider of the city.”

Caught in the middle of this dispute are Pretoria North residents, who continue to deal with dangerous road conditions and the constant risk of sewage leaks.

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer has acknowledged the community’s frustration and has been advocating for accelerated repairs.

“It’s very disappointing and sad that AfriForum must gather money now to fix, and the council does nothing where it’s their responsibility,” said Meyer.

For residents like Marionette Pretorius, however, words alone are no longer enough.

“We have been living with this for months, and nothing seems to change,” she said.

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