Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Maritha Coetzee
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in City of Matlosana has filed a criminal complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS) over a series of severe public health, environmental, and water infrastructure failures affecting the communities of Hartbeesfontein and Tigane.
The affidavit details ongoing sewage overflows, the pollution of natural water sources, and repeated interruptions to potable water supply; conditions that now pose a direct and escalating threat to residents, livestock, and local ecosystems.
Raw sewage from the main sewer line between Tigane and the wastewater treatment plant is overflowing into the Renosterspruit and ultimately into the Vaal River. This includes untreated waste flowing through an open channel adjacent to residential areas, exposing communities to hazardous conditions on a daily basis.
The contamination has extended to boreholes relied upon by households and farmers, creating life-threatening conditions for those dependent on groundwater. The continued discharge of untreated sewage does not comply with required legal standards and poses significant risks to human health, agriculture, and the environment.
Residents and animals are exposed to raw sewage, maggot infestations near blocked infrastructure, and a range of airborne and waterborne health hazards ( see photos here, here, and here). These conditions have already resulted in cases of diarrhoea, respiratory irritation, and ongoing exposure to harmful pathogens.
Water supply to Hartbeesfontein and Tigane is disrupted at least once a week due to pump failures affecting the Rietkuil Reservoir. The pipeline supplying the reservoir is in a deteriorating state and requires urgent replacement to prevent further leaks and prolonged outages.
Sanitation services have effectively collapsed, with the municipality’s vacuum truck system no longer functioning adequately, further exacerbating sewage spillages across affected areas.
The DA has initiated formal escalation processes and calls for urgent intervention by relevant authorities. A criminal case has been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate potential health, environmental, and infrastructure-related offences.
The DA further calls on the Department of Water and Sanitation to urgently issue a Section 19 directive in terms of the National Water Act, compelling immediate remedial action to stop ongoing pollution.
In addition, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Green Scorpions) must conduct a full criminal environmental investigation into the unlawful discharge of untreated sewage.
Given the clear implications for constitutional rights, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is requested to investigate violations relating to access to clean water, a safe environment, and human dignity.
The DA will also approach the Public Protector to investigate maladministration and systemic service delivery failures within the municipality.
Upon completion of these investigations, the matter must be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution of any officials or entities found responsible.
The ongoing sewage spills and collapse of water infrastructure represent a direct violation of residents’ rights to dignity, health, and access to clean water. Communities cannot be expected to live under these conditions while responsible authorities fail to act.
The DA will continue to pursue all available legal and oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and to protect the residents of Hartbeesfontein and Tigane from further harm.