The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mafube Local Municipality plans to refer concerns about dirty water affecting residents of Qalabotjha and Villiers to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), calling for an urgent investigation into alleged sewage leaks, possible water contamination and reported shortages of essential water-treatment chemicals.
According to DA councillor in that municipality, Fako Tsotetsi, the party is seeking urgent intervention to address the situation and establish whether residents’ health and safety are at risk. Tsotetsi said the DA would also press the municipality to repair leaking pipelines, conduct water-quality tests and provide residents with clear information about the safety of their water supply.
“During an oversight visit, we observed visible sewage leaks from pipelines carrying wastewater towards the treatment plant, with raw sewage flowing directly into the Vaal River. These observations raise serious concerns about possible contamination of a vital water source serving surrounding communities,” said Tsotetsi.
The situation is reportedly compounded by recurring shortages of essential water-treatment chemicals at the municipality’s treatment plant. The DA warned that if these shortages compromise the plant’s operations, residents could face additional health and safety risks.
The party is calling on the municipality to clarify the plant’s operational status and ensure that water supplied to households meets the required safety standards.
Tsotetsi said DA public representatives had repeatedly raised concerns with municipal officials about the observed leaks and the potential risks they posed to communities in Qalabotjha and Villiers.
The DA further expressed concern that sewage entering the Vaal River could affect water quality at downstream water-intake points. The party said the reported chemical shortages, combined with the alleged sewage leaks, warranted an immediate investigation, comprehensive water-quality testing and corrective action.
“Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right. Residents of Qalabotjha and Villiers should not have to live with uncertainty about the safety of the water coming out of their taps,” the party said.
The party has called on the municipal manager and relevant officials to take the following steps:
*Inspect and repair leaking pipelines: Immediately investigate and repair the sewage pipelines identified during the DA councillor’s oversight visit and prevent further sewage from entering the Vaal River.
*Conduct water-quality tests: Arrange urgent, independent water-quality testing at relevant intake points and within the distribution system, and make the results available to affected communities.
*Ensure adequate treatment chemicals: Maintain a consistent supply of essential water-treatment chemicals and confirm that wastewater and drinking-water treatment processes are operating effectively.
*Communicate with residents: Provide clear and regular updates on the source of the dirty water, potential health risks and measures being implemented to resolve the problem.
*Investigate and establish accountability: Investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported sewage leaks and chemical shortages, establish accountability where negligence or misconduct is proven, and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
The DA said it would continue to demand answers, strengthen its oversight efforts and pursue all appropriate channels to ensure that the concerns receive urgent attention.
