DA demands Auditor-General probe into claims on eMbalenhle sewer plant

The DA in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality has called on the Office of the Auditor-General (AG) to launch a formal investigation into what it alleges are misleading claims by the municipality about the operational status of the eMbalenhle Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).

According to the DA, municipal officials falsely informed the AG that the sewer plant was fully operational following repairs completed in the 2023/24 financial year.

This claim was reportedly included in the AG’s recent audit report. However, an oversight inspection by the DA revealed a different picture on the ground.

“Parts of the plant are still not functioning, and the municipal manager misled the Auditor-General by claiming that the facility is operational when it clearly is not. It continues to pollute the environment, and residents deserve an honest and accountable government,” said DA councillor Lehlohonolo Madumise.

Oversight visit findings

During a recent site visit, the DA reported the following issues at the facility:

• A screw screen was non-functional, with repair tools left unattended nearby.
• Several pumps lacked the cabling required to connect to a power supply.
• All pumps at the station were found to be switched off.

These findings, the party argues, directly contradict the municipality’s assertion that the plant is fully operational and that environmental risks have been mitigated.

The Govan Mbeki Municipality was fined R200m by the Bethal Regional Court in 2023 for contravening environmental legislation. It was found guilty of discharging untreated sewage into nearby rivers and streams and was ordered to implement remedial infrastructure upgrades by December 2026.

A multi-stakeholder inspection was conducted on March 19, involving officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), and the Gert Sibande District Municipality. This team assessed both the WWTW and the Ext 22 pump station in eMbalenhle.

At the time, DWS deputy director-general for regulations, compliance and enforcement, Xolani Zwane, acknowledged progress in reducing sewage spillage in the area. Municipal manager Elliot Maseko also expressed confidence in the plant’s performance during the inspection.

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“The municipal leadership and administration formulated plans and interventions to ensure the sewage plant is up and running. This sewer plant worked for the past eight months without any hindrances,” Maseko said.

However, Maseko also cited previous vandalism and theft of critical infrastructure as setbacks that had contributed to the pollution of the local river system.

Despite the municipality’s assurances, the DA maintains that the plant is not operating at full capacity and continues to pose a serious environmental risk.

The party has now formally requested the Auditor-General to investigate the alleged discrepancy and to hold those responsible to account.

“This is not just about failing infrastructure. It is about misleading oversight bodies and letting down the community,” Madumise said.