Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr José Coetzee and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL. See attached pictures here and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Setsoto Caucus will write to the Municipal Manager to request a full report on the causes of ongoing sewage spills in Clocolan and Ficksburg, the status of the JetVac truck repairs, and a detailed action plan to complete outstanding sanitation projects.
The municipality’s ongoing lack of urgency in addressing severe sewage spills in Clocolan and Ficksburg is deeply concerning.
These recurring incidents highlight neglect and poor planning that endanger public health and damage the environment.
Following heavy rainfall, several sewer lines in Clocolan became blocked, causing sewage to overflow through public streets and homes. Despite numerous complaints from residents and the DA, including an official municipal reference number, the issue remained unresolved for more than a week.
Reports suggest the municipal maintenance team was engaged in fire hydrant maintenance during this time.
Sewerage spills are public health emergencies requiring immediate action. Exposure to raw sewage spreads disease, contaminates water, and harms the environment. Allowing such conditions to persist is an apparent failure of basic service delivery.
In Ficksburg, ongoing spills have been reported in Bloem Street and the Station Houses area, where the sewer system can no longer handle heavy inflow. The municipality’s JetVac truck and limited staff are clearly inadequate.
Meanwhile, administrative posts in the Mayor’s and Municipal Manager’s offices continue to be filled while critical technical vacancies remain vacant. Strengthening technical teams and maintaining equipment would reduce the need for additional administrative staff to handle complaints.
While heavy rainfall can worsen overflows, the municipality’s poor infrastructure maintenance and delayed upgrades have made the system more vulnerable. In a properly maintained network, rainfall should not cause widespread sewage flooding. The current crisis reflects years of neglect and failed planning.
Although the DA acknowledges recent municipal campaigns promoting responsible waste disposal, such initiatives cannot replace proper maintenance and rapid emergency response.
The Setsoto community deserves reliable, well-managed, and safe services. The municipality’s lack of urgency in addressing sewage spills in both Clocolan and Ficksburg is unacceptable.
The DA remains committed to holding the municipality accountable and ensuring that the health, safety, and dignity of all residents in Clocolan, Ficksburg, and across Setsoto are protected.