Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr JP de Villiers and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here, here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ngwathe has escalated the ongoing sewage crisis in Parys to the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Isaac Sello Seitlholo, following the ANC-run Municipality’s failure to act. This intervention is necessary because raw sewage is spilling into the Vaal River and surrounding springs, creating a serious health hazard for residents and communities downstream.
On 26 August 2025, I joined Cllr Brendan Olivier, Dr Roy Jankielsohn (DA Provincial Leader and Member of the Provincial Legislature), and other DA representatives during an oversight visit to the Parys Sewage Purification Works. We directly questioned the municipality about the plant’s ability to manage sewage demand and the presence of spillages. The municipality claimed the system could handle current demand, denied any spillages, and insisted that an application had been lodged to upgrade the facility.
These claims do not align with the reality on the ground.
During my own oversight visits on 2 September, I confirmed that maintenance had been carried out at the Tumahole sewage pump station, which the DA welcomes. However, the Schonkenville sewage pump still showed evidence of recent spillage. On 3 September, my oversight at the “Sandgat” manhole revealed further signs of sewage spillage directly into the Vaal River.
In addition, there are clear signs of wastewater contamination in the natural springs around Parys, notably the spring that runs from the industrial area down to the Potchefstroom crossing bridge, entering the Vaal River at Mimosa Gardens. This causes a lingering smell in the air around the spring and also leaves a green pigmentation in the water. This is a serious environmental threat, not only to residents but also to communities downstream.
Despite my formal written request for an urgent update and clear timelines for resolving these spillages, the municipality has never responded. I have now escalated the matter to the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, as this is no longer a local concern; it poses a wider environmental and public health risk.
The DA once again calls on the ANC-governed municipality to act decisively and urgently. At the same time, we appeal to residents to refrain from throwing foreign objects into the sewage system, as this worsens blockages and contributes to system breakdowns.
The ongoing sewage crisis is a clearly visible disaster. The silence, denial before Members of Provincial Legislature, and inaction of this municipality cannot continue. The DA will continue to fight this issue until it is addressed and the health and safety of our community and environment are protected.