Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Hismajesty Maqhubu. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tokologo will take urgent steps to address the escalating sewerage crisis in Tshwaraganang, near Dealesville in the Free State, by writing to the municipal manager, Mpho Sehloho and the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to complete the long-delayed TEFFLA Projects immediately.
The DWS has contracted TEFFLA to complete the oxidation ponds and pump stations in Tokologo, and for over three years now, these projects have remained stalled at 89% completion, leaving residents trapped in unsafe and undignified conditions.
Despite significant investments in pump stations and an oxidation plant, a lack of connectivity and maintenance has left residents relying on outdated drain systems and pit latrines, posing serious health risks to both humans and animals.
Raw sewage flowing through residential areas has become an everyday occurrence. These spills pollute water supplies, provide breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects, and expose residents to pathogens that cause cholera, dysentery, and skin infections.
Children are particularly vulnerable, with many becoming ill as a result of exposure to unsanitary conditions. Lack of proper sanitation is more than just a public health issue; it is a violation of fundamental human rights.
The local livestock and domestic animals are also not spared from this endemic situation, with grazing areas and water sources increasingly becoming polluted, causing illness and death in cattle, goats, and pets. Wildlife in the surrounding areas suffers as contaminated runoff seeps into natural habitats, disrupting ecosystems and endangering biodiversity.
This crisis is the direct result of municipal negligence and sanitation infrastructure projects that are taking years to complete.
The community cannot continue to suffer in the hands of incomplete projects run by governments’ lack of holding contractors to account. Local contractors should be allowed to complete the required final touch-ups and connection upgrades to the sanitation infrastructure, as the major civil works have been finished.
The municipality and the department must provide clear timelines for pump station connections, whilst regular monitoring and maintenance of existing waste systems is prioritised. Public health interventions to reduce current risks must also be deployed.
The people of Tshwaraganang deserve respect, safety, and a clean environment. We will not remain silent as our health, homes, and heritage are jeopardised.