VANDERBIJLPARK – Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) boss April Ntuli has addressed the ongoing sewage crisis following his recent appearance at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court.
The municipal manager faced 66 additional charges linked to alleged environmental law violations and breaches of the National Water Act.
While the municipality faces legal pressure over sewage spills, Ntuli insists that the scale of the problem is being exaggerated by some media outlets and political figures.
He described these accounts as a sensationalised narrative that creates unnecessary alarm and fails to reflect the work being done on the ground.
According to the municipal chief, the majority of the sewer network remains operational, and strategic repairs are starting to show positive results.
“We take these issues seriously and continue to prioritise them as part of our day-to-day service delivery mandate,” he added.
The municipality outlined several interventions currently being rolled out under the Section 63 intervention of the Water Services Act, where Rand Water was appointed as the implementing agent in 2021.
Among the major projects highlighted are repairs and upgrades at the Leeukuil, Sebokeng, and Rietspruit wastewater treatment plants.
ELM confirmed that several key pump stations, including Boitumelo and Evaton West, are now fully functional.
Data from March 2026 suggests a silver lining for residents, with the municipality claiming 100% water quality compliance in physical, chemical, and microbiological tests.
Ntuli stated that the local authority remains committed to modernising the system and has seen an improvement in how quickly teams respond to reported leaks and blockages.
The municipality has also called on the public to help prevent further issues.
“While work to resolve these challenges continues, the municipality appeals to residents to play their part by disposing of foreign objects (such as wet wipes, sanitary products, fats, and plastics) into the system, as these are a leading cause of blockages in most of the areas,” he said.
Ntuli concluded by asking political partners and the media to use official channels for information rather than relying on unverified claims.
“The municipality welcomes robust engagement and constructive criticism from all coalition partners as we work together to deliver services to our residents. However, we strongly call on all members of the coalition to respect established internal processes when raising concerns or disagreements, rather than airing them through media platforms.”
