The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Govan Mbeki has called on the Municipal Manager, Elliot Maseko, to urgently intervene and dispatch a team to resolve the worsening sewage overflow crisis in eMbalenhle.

Residents have been subjected to dire living conditions as raw sewage spills directly into yards, causing blocked toilets and posing serious health risks. The situation has reached a critical point, with overflow encroaching on the main water lines, further endangering the community, including many elderly residents.

The DA strongly condemns the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s continued failure to maintain basic sanitation infrastructure, describing it as a gross violation of residents’ dignity, health, and constitutional rights. The persistent neglect and silence from municipal officials have left the community vulnerable to disease and unsafe living conditions.

This crisis is not isolated. Across eMbalenhle, residents face broken sewer lines, blocked drains, and little to no response from municipal authorities. “Many are unable to use toilets and fear consuming tap water, risking disease outbreaks,” said Zodwa Mkhwebane DA Councillor Govan Mbeki Local Municipality

The DA urges the municipality to conduct a comprehensive audit of the sewer network and implement a targeted maintenance plan, prioritising high-risk, low-income areas where vulnerable community members reside. Equal treatment and swift action are imperative; no resident should be forced to live in such degrading conditions.

The party emphasises that delivering clean water and dignified sanitation is a core mandate of local government. The DA commits to holding the municipality accountable and will continue advocating for residents until their basic needs are met.