The DA in Mopani District has reported the Mopani District Municipality to the Green Scorpions over its unwillingness to refurbish and maintain dilapidated and leaking wastewater treatment plants in the district. This threatens to impact resident’s health and the environment.
An internal audit report presented to the district council revealed that effluent discharged into rivers that are nearby the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is either inadequately disinfected or not disinfected at all, posing a potential threat and health risk to the community. Untreated effluent that is discharged increases the risk of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and diarrhoea among individuals using the water for various purposes, including washing clothes, bathing, cooking and drinking.
The affected plants mentioned in the report are
1. Lulekane WWTP
2. Namakgale WWTP
3. Lenyenye WWTP
During a recent oversight to the Kgapane and Lenyenye Wastewater Treatment plant it was discovered that untreated effluent is discharged into nearby rivers which poses a significant health risk to the surrounding communities and livestock. It also threatens a detrimental environmental impact on the rivers, groundwater and plant life. See photos here and here.
During the Special Adjustment Budget council meeting tabled on 30 May 2025 the council resolved to re-allocate the 10% Municipal Infrastructure Grants (MIG) funds purposed for the repair and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants for the 2024/25 financial year to other MIG budgets.
The DA has raised concern around the state of wastewater treatment plants and highlighted the need for urgent intervention. Despite these valid concerns, the ANC-led council has resolved to ignore and neglect the much-needed refurbishment of the plants by redirecting allocated funds elsewhere.
We have also written to the Municipal Manager, Tshepo Mogano, to demand a detailed plan to address the urgent refurbishment of these plants.
We are committed to effective governance and we will continue monitoring the health and safety situation until the wastewater treatment plants receive attention to ensure the safety of Mopani residents.