Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Arista Goosen
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mahikeng has formally written to the Deputy Minister in the Department of Water and Sanitation, Mr Sello Seitlholo, calling for the immediate temporary shutdown of the Mahikeng Wastewater Treatment Plant until refurbishment is completed and pollution of the Molopo River is halted.
This follows an oversight visit conducted on 3 March 2026, where serious concerns were raised regarding the plant’s compliance and operational status.
It is alleged that the facility does not hold a valid water use license and is not yet fully operational. If true, this means that any effluent discharged from the plant is unlawful, regardless of whether it is claimed to be treated.
In terms of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), wastewater may only be discharged into a water resource if there is a valid license, the effluent meets prescribed chemical and biological standards, and regular testing is conducted to ensure compliance. Current indications suggest that these requirements are not being met.
The DA has previously raised concerns about the prolonged dysfunction of both the Mmabatho and Mahikeng Wastewater Treatment Plants. While it is understood that the Mahikeng plant resumed partial operations around November 2025 and refurbishment is ongoing, there is insufficient evidence to confirm that the discharged effluent is safe.
The most recent Green Drop Report was released in 2022, raising further concerns about the absence of up-to-date, transparent water quality monitoring.
The continued discharge of potentially non-compliant effluent poses a serious risk to the Molopo River, groundwater sources, surrounding ecosystems, and the health of local communities.
The DA will therefore request that the Department invoke Section 19 of the National Water Act to prevent further pollution. This must include the temporary shutdown of the plant, the urgent completion of refurbishment works, and the implementation of measures to rehabilitate the Molopo River.
The failure to ensure compliance with environmental and water safety standards is a direct violation of communities’ constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing.
Until credible and transparent water quality testing is conducted and made public, residents are urged to take precautionary measures, including the use of alternative water sources where possible.
The DA will continue to exercise oversight and take action to protect communities from environmental harm and governance failures.