Govan Mbeki Municipality implements measures after R200m sewage pollution fine
A process controller was appointed last June to oversee Class 0 to 3 operations, and the appointment of additional qualified process controllers in line with wastewater treatment regulations is being finalised.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) implemented several measures to address sewage spills after the Bethal Regional Court imposed a R200m fine in April 2024 for contravening environmental laws.
Of that amount, R50m was suspended for five years on condition that the GMM is not found guilty of a similar offence during that period. The court ordered that the remaining R150m be used to fix pollution-related problems.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), between November 2019 and September 2020, the GMM committed illegal acts that caused significant environmental pollution.
It was found guilty on six counts, including contravening the National Environmental Management Act of 2002, polluting water resources, contravening the National Water Act of 1998, failing to comply with a compliance notice, the unauthorised disposal of water, and acts that detrimentally affected water resources.
The NPA said the State and the GMM entered into a plea and sentence agreement, with all counts combined for sentencing purposes.
The court ordered the GMM to repair all the equipment identified by contractors by December 2026 and to install weighbridges at all landfill sites by May 30, 2025.
The order covers the disposal and distribution of effluent and untreated sewage in eMzinoni, the eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant, the Trichardt Spruit, Wela Mlambo, the Leandra N17 Pump Station, the Waterval Hoek River and the Blesbok and Groot spruits.
The Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), known as the ‘Green Scorpions’, local environmental organisations and the Human Rights Commission took the GMM to court over water contamination.
Investigations revealed significant pollution, interference with waterworks, polluted water resources, damage to watercourses and failure to comply with compliance notices.
The GMM said six sewer pump stations were repaired in December 2024 using internal funding and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG).
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The eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant is partially operational. The activated sludge plant for the 2026/2027 cycle is operational, while biofiltration is temporarily bypassed.
Upgrading the eMbalenhle wastewater treatment works is funded through the RBIG, with the Gert Sibande District Municipality as the implementing agent.
The project is in the design stage and includes refurbishing the plant. An environmental rehabilitation plan was developed, but was referred back last July for corrections and further internal funding considerations.
The GMM confirmed that capacity-building support and equipment for environmental management investigation inspectors were procured last July through internal funding.
A process controller was appointed last June to oversee Class 0 to 3 operations, and the appointment of additional qualified process controllers in line with wastewater treatment regulations is being finalised. The GMM said the monitoring of industries is ongoing, and fines continue to be issued for non-compliance.
