THREE RIVERS – Despite generating almost R41m per month in rates and taxes for the Emfuleni Local Municipality, Three Rivers (Ward 1) is riddled with leaking pipes, sewage spills, and collapsing roads.

DA Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Sello Seitlholo conducted an oversight visit to the suburb, Emfuleni’s highest rate-paying ward, last Wednesday, to assess ongoing water leaks and infrastructure failures.

During his visit, Seitlholo was accompanied by DA mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala and ward councillor Dalene Venter.

In Bashee Street, an underground leak has been flooding the road and seeping into private properties.

One resident said the leak was first reported 22 years ago and has never been properly fixed. Venter warned that ageing infrastructure, dating back to the late 1940s, is collapsing underground.

She referenced Severn Drive, where a road caved in last year after prolonged water leaks caused a sinkhole.

“It is life-threatening,” she said, adding that two old-age homes and a church are affected by deteriorating road conditions.

The visit comes amid reports that Rand Water attached Emfuleni’s bank account recently over a R100m short payment, allegedly crippling service delivery in departments reliant on fuel for vehicles.

Seitlholo said billions have been invested in Emfuleni through national intervention, yet the municipality remains unable to deploy adequate technical teams.

He pointed to a 70% vacancy rate in technical positions and claimed the municipality loses about 70% of its water as nonrevenue water, while paying R900m in overtime over recent years.

At Palms Retirement Village, a water leak near the entrance has gone unrepaired for more than three weeks, creating potential risks for emergency vehicles.

In General Hertzog Street and Golf Street, ongoing sewage leaks continue to threaten businesses and the Klip River.

Seitlholo said he will compile a list of critical leaks, particularly those posing sinkhole risks, and escalate the matter to the Department of Water and Sanitation’s infrastructure head for urgent assessment.

“Money is being spent, but residents are not seeing results,” Chabalala said.