Raw sewage pumped into Mogale City waterways: 'To say it is unsafe is a HUGE understatement'

John Perlman speaks with Adrian Amod, Head of Communications at the Mogale City Local Municipality and Sikonathi Mantshantsha, News24 Journalist.

Listen below.

President Cyril Rampahosa has called for immediate action to address the pollution in Mogale City Municipality in Gauteng following media reports.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has issued multiple directives to the municipality since 2019, urging them to address sewerage pollution.

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The department has also reportedly paid the municipality more than R300 million in the last few years to repair and maintain its sewerage infrastructure.

Despite this, Mantshantsha says the situation has gotten worse.

He says this effluent discharge has destroyed the environment, river systems, and farms.

“To say it is not safe is a huge understatement.”

- Sikonathi Mantshantsha, News24 Journalist

He adds that 12 out of 22 sewage pump stations in the municipality are not working or only partially functioning.

Amod says the facilities are receiving the ‘necessary attention’ to fix this situation.

“The municipality acknowledges that the effluent discharge is not safe.”

- Adrian Amod, Head of Communications at the Mogale City Local Municipality

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.