Farmers in the Leandra area believe a combination of sewage pollution and illegal dumping is making their livestock ill.
Concerns have been raised about the possible contamination of streams and dams by overflowing sewage in numerous areas of Leandra.

It is alleged that sewage from blocked drains is flowing into nearby streams, while people dumping refuse along the R50 are also contaminating surrounding watercourses.

A local farmer said groundwater could be contaminated after a stench was noticed coming from a borehole system.

He is losing tens of thousands of rands because of cattle falling ill, while another farmer reported fish dying in his dam.
One farmer pointed out contaminated watering holes on his property.

A Ridge Times journalist observed stagnant wastewater, sludge and bubbles in the water, highlighting ongoing pollution concerns.

“I am losing cattle. There is nothing I can do; I cannot get them back to health,” said the concerned farmer.

He said a single veterinary visit costs him around R2 000. “I am losing around R15 000 on a cow,” he said.

According to the farmer, the sewage spills have worsened over the past eight years.

He took the journalist to the cattle sickbay, where the stench caused by the animals’ stomach disease was overwhelming.
Seven cows, worth around R100 000 in total, have fallen ill and have been separated from the rest of the herd to prevent the disease from spreading.

“There will be a stage where the cattle start getting better, but then they relapse again. You cannot beat the parasites,” said the farmer.

Another farmer said a civil case was opened against the Govan Mbeki Municipality last year under case number 88/08/2025 in terms of Section 151 of the National Water Act.

“GMM is upgrading the town and water supply areas and wants to build more in Leandra, but it is not upgrading the sewage pipelines. Our sewer system is overwhelmed and under strain,” said the farmer.

He alleged that when sewage spills are reported, no action is taken. He also claimed that a WhatsApp group where residents reported the spills was shut down.

“It is devastating,” he said.

The farmer identified and shared the locations of numerous sewage spills across Leandra, including along the R50 towards Delmas, the N17 near the Leslie waterfall, and near local businesses and churches.

The Ridge Times forwarded these location points to GMM.

AfriForum’s Jan du Plessis said the streams affected by sewage spills impact not only the Leandra community, but also a much broader area because they flow into Bronkhorstspruit Dam.

“From Bronkhorstspruit Dam, it flows to Loskop Dam and from there through the Kruger National Park to Mozambique and eventually into the ocean. This is a long chain of pollution they are causing,” said Du Plessis.

“GMM neglects maintenance. Farmers are losing crops and livestock because they cannot use the water for irrigation or consumption,” said Du Plessis.

Donald Green, GMM spokesperson, said that municipal technical teams are currently investigating reports of sewage spills at the identified locations in and around Leandra, including the GPS coordinates supplied by residents and farmers.

Green said these locations have been referred to the relevant municipal departments for investigation and physical assessment.

“Technical teams will assess the nature and extent of the reported spills, identify possible causes and determine the appropriate remedial action required at each affected site,” said Green.

According to Green, the municipality is also in the process of verifying information about the capacity and condition of the sewer network, allegations of possible pollution of streams, dams and groundwater, as well as information about the reported civil case involving the municipality.

“Given the number of locations identified and the technical and legal information requiring verification, the municipality is consolidating inputs from the relevant departments to ensure that information provided to the media and the public is accurate, comprehensive and factually verified.

“Where immediate operational interventions are required and can be undertaken, the relevant municipal teams will attend to the affected infrastructure while the broader assessment and investigation process continues,” said Green.

He said that the municipality takes reports of sewage spills and potential environmental pollution seriously and recognises the importance of protecting public health, the environment and surrounding water resources.

“The municipality appreciates the information provided by residents, farmers and other stakeholders. It assists the municipality in identifying affected areas and directing technical teams to locations requiring assessment and intervention. A factually verified response addressing the matters raised will be provided once the site assessments and internal verification processes have been concluded,” said Green.