Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Lourens Cromhout
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Matlosana is deeply concerned about the ongoing sewer failures that are putting residents’ health and safety at risk, and will formally escalate this matter to the Municipal Manager, Ms L. Seametso, to ensure accountability.
Continuous sewer failures in our communities are creating serious health risks that can no longer be ignored. With heavy rains flooding our streets and overwhelming the sewer system, residents are left to face the unacceptable consequences of overflowing waste in their neighbourhoods. This is not merely an inconvenience — it is a growing public health hazard.
For months, concerned residents have repeatedly reported sewer blockages. Yet the response from the Matlosana sewer department is far too often silence. Telephone lines go unanswered, leaving residents desperate for help. And when a response finally comes, it is already too late to prevent the damage.
This crisis is made worse by the lack of adequate resources. There are simply not enough municipal vehicles available to attend to these emergencies quickly and effectively. The result is a system that fails residents at every stage — from reporting the problem to resolving it.
Our community deserves better.
The city must prioritise the health and safety of its residents by providing the staff, equipment, and proactive maintenance required to prevent these recurring sewer spills. Every delay increases the risk to public health and further erodes the trust between the municipality and the people it is meant to serve.
This would not be happening in a DA-run municipality. Where the DA governs, we deliver clean environments, proper maintenance, and rapid response systems that protect residents instead of endangering them.
We will continue fighting for a municipality that puts residents’ wellbeing first.