Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr René Steyn and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL. See attached pictures here, here and here.
The DA will escalate its oversight of the sewer infrastructure affecting Wards 27 and 32 and pursue clear answers and corrective action from Matjhabeng Local Municipality over recurring sewer blockages, overflows and inadequate repairs. These failures continue to affect residents, businesses and public spaces, while exposing communities to health and environmental risks.
In Doorn, residents have reportedly been battling recurring sewage spills for years. Raw sewage flows into streets, parks and pedestrian areas, including routes used by children walking to school. Residents are forced to drive and walk through contaminated water, while businesses and households repeatedly incur private plumbing costs to deal with blocked drains and toilets.
This is not merely an inconvenience. Persistent exposure to raw sewage creates a serious environmental and public health concern and points to a sewer network that requires proper rehabilitation rather than repeated temporary interventions. When sewage repeatedly enters streets and public spaces, residents are not only inconvenienced but also left exposed to contaminated environments where they live, work, and travel.
DA Candidate Hennie Breytenbach and Ward 27 Councillor Gerhard Botha have conducted several oversight visits and engagements regarding the affected sewer network and have consistently pressed the municipality for answers on the condition of the infrastructure, the work being performed, and the measures being taken to prevent recurring failures.
The appointed contractor has been working on portions of the affected infrastructure.
Concerns have been raised regarding the standard and effectiveness of some of the work undertaken, particularly where problems continue or reappear after interventions. The DA will continue pursuing proper oversight of the contract, accountability for work that does not meet the required standard, and corrective action where necessary.
The continued reliance on measures such as trailer pumps cannot substitute for a permanent engineering solution. Emergency interventions may be necessary when systems fail, but they cannot become the municipality’s long-term response to deteriorating infrastructure.
The DA will seek clear answers from Matjhabeng on the scope and condition of the affected sewer network, the work already completed, outstanding repairs, expected completion dates, the quality controls applied to contractor work and the municipality’s plan to prevent continued sewage spills.
Residents pay for municipal services and are entitled to functioning basic infrastructure. They should not have to accept raw sewage in their streets, parks and neighbourhoods as a normal part of daily life.
The DA will continue to conduct oversight and escalate the matter with the municipality until it implements sustainable repairs and affected communities receive the basic services they pay for.