Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbite in English by Carin Visser
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tswaing is alarmed by the complete collapse of septic tank vacuuming services in Sannieshof, which has created a man-made disaster that places residents’ health, safety, and dignity at severe risk.
For over a year, raw sewage has been overflowing into homes, flooding showers, toilets, and foundations, contaminating boreholes and exposing families to serious health risks such as cholera and TB (see photos here, here, and here). Businesses, including food outlets, are also in danger as sewer flooding compromises hygiene standards and increases the risk of waterborne diseases.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) and Tswaing Local Municipality, responsible for sanitation services, have failed in their constitutional duties. Currently, more than 2,7 million litres of raw sewage stand untreated in Sannieshof septic tanks. A single 6,000-litre vacuum truck is wholly insufficient, and with more than 200 backlogged tanks, the situation grows worse every day.
The dysfunctional Sannieshof wastewater treatment plant is also discharging sewage directly into the Harts River, contaminating water sources and threatening long-term water security (see photo here). Boreholes 4 and 5 were already withdrawn from bulk water supply due to pollution, a criminal offence under environmental law.
The dysfunctional Sannieshof wastewater treatment plant is also discharging sewage directly into the Harts River, contaminating water sources and threatening long-term water security (see photo here). Boreholes 4 and 5 were already withdrawn from bulk water supply due to pollution, a criminal offence under environmental law.
The DA has reported this matter to the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission, and the Centre for Environmental Rights, while also opening a criminal case. We demand urgent intervention from the Departments of Water and Sanitation and Environmental Affairs to investigate and enforce accountability.
Enough is enough. Sannieshof and Agisanang residents are tired of living in sewage. The DA demands the immediate implementation of a sustainable waterborne sewer reticulation system to restore dignity and prevent a full-blown health crisis.
This forms part of the DA’s Turbocharge Campaign, where we are intensifying our fight for service delivery, clean governance, and dignity for every resident. Communities like Sannieshof cannot be left behind. Real change requires urgent, accountable action.