Forum 4 Service Delivery wants SAHRC to urgently probe Matjhabeng municipality over sewage spills

Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) is currently weighing its options to hold Matjhabeng local municipality to account, as it has approached the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to probe the ailing municipality.

According to F4SD national organiser Thebe Ntsane, a political party that fights for societal rights and corruption is triggered by anger over Matjhabeng municipality’s failure to rollout a proper infrastructure to mitigate sewage spillages in the townships.

“We have asked the SAHRC to intervene in Matjhabeng local municipality which has refused and or failed to clear sewage spill that has subjected residents to horrible smell and other hazards,” said Ntsane.

According to the Green Drop report released by the national department of water and sanitation 10 out of the 11 wastewater plants in Matjhabeng were found to be in a critical state.

This has subjected to sewage spillages in key townships such as Thabong, Nyakallong, Kutlwanong and Hennenman.

“The municipality is inundated with reports of blocked and leaked sewage pipes, mostly in Ward 26 Mshongoville and other areas in Thabong but has not bothered to fix any of those,” detailed Ntsane.

Ntsane says that affected residents alarmed the forum over the crumbling infrastructure, and how the sewage deeply affects their health.

“Residents asked for our hand to intervene, but so far efforts to get answeres have hit a brick wall as the ANC-led municipality keeps ducking and diving.

“This sewage spill poses a health hazard to residents and is damaging houses and if not attended urgently, may see some of these houses collapse,” Ntsane said.

Meanwhile in June, water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu visited the troubled municipality and made assessments.

After assessments, it was established that Matjhabeng would need R522 million to refurbish all its waste water plans and replacement of 1500km worth of pipeline.

During his visit, Mchunu told stakeholders that the department has set aside R150 million for projects to commence.