Sewage still spills into Vaal

HEALTH HAZARD: LEADER OF NEW PARTY OPENS CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST MUNICIPALITY

- Masoka Dube

The sewage spillage into the Vaal River in Standerton, Mpumalanga, is caused by the municipality’s failure to maintain the infrastructure, according to Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo.

Mahlobo and the management of the Lekwa local municipality recently visited the site to investigate residents’ complaints of water contamination.

In 2023, the Standerton Regional Court found Lekwa local municipality guilty of polluting the environment by letting untreated sewage into the Vaal River.

The municipality was fined R70 million and ordered to use the money to fix the infrastructure that led to the situation.

But, according to residents, three years after the ruling, the situation has not changed, putting their lives at risk.

Mahlobo said: “The delegation visited the Vaal sewer pump that was upgraded and handed over in 2025 to the municipality.

“However, lack of maintenance has led to effluent discharge into the Vaal River.”