Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Ntombi Mokoena, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Anelia Smit and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Diphapang Mofokeng. See attached pictures here and here
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Phumelela Local Municipality will escalate a catastrophic sewerage collapse in Thembalihle, Vrede, to the South African Human Rights Commission and relevant environmental authorities, following an urgent oversight inspection that revealed a complete infrastructure failure. During the inspection, the DA found raw sewage spilling directly into residential properties, leaving families unable to access their homes through their main gates.
This untreated waste is also flowing into the local natural water supplies, creating a severe environmental and health hazard that extends far beyond the immediate residential area.
We note that this ongoing neglect has reached a tipping point, with the toxic overflow now a direct threat to both human life and the local ecosystem. The contamination of natural water sources poses a grave risk to biodiversity and the health of livestock that depend on these waterways for survival.
For a community that relies on the health of its environment, this pollution represents a long-term threat to public health and the local economy. Despite these issues being repeatedly raised with the municipality, the administration has failed to provide any meaningful resolution, leaving residents to live in hazardous and undignified conditions.
The DA demands that the Phumelela Local Municipality immediately dispatches emergency technical teams to repair the failing sewer lines and restore access to the affected homes in Thembalihle. The party is also calling for a permanent solution to prevent further contamination of natural water supplies and safeguard the community’s and their animals’ health.
We remain committed to fighting for a clean, safe environment and the restoration of dignity for every resident of Phumelela.