Water quality 'criminal'

POLLUTERS: HALF OF MUNICIPALITIES FACE CHARGES FOR SEWAGE SPILLS

- Enkosi Selane

More than half of South African municipalities face criminal charges for failing to address raw sewage spillages into freshwater resources, says Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina.

In response to a parliamentary question from DA MP Cathleen Labuschagne, Majodina said 50.61% of municipalities were subject to criminal proceedings for non-compliance with government directives regarding sewage management.

"The department of water and sanitation (DWS) issued 164 directives for raw sewage spillages into freshwater resources from 2019 up to 19 September 2024," Majodina said.

The investigation revealed that of the municipalities assessed, 94 were found non-compliant, while 54 were partially compliant.

Only 15 municipalities achieved full compliance, with one municipality unrated.

The department has initiated 83 criminal cases against non-compliant and partially compliant municipalities. However, 69 municipalities had no information available to determine any potential action against them.