The ongoing sewage problems in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality have escalated into a serious health crisis.
The Municipality is directly responsible for the outbreak of diseases as it is allowing untreated sewage to spill into natural resources, streets and even residents’ properties.
In the last two weeks, there were cases where young children reportedly fell ill as a result of the pollution.
In one case the following four pathogens were present: Rotavirus A, Campylobacter, EAEC (E. coli) and Cryptosporidium.
The presence of these pathogens is likely due to contaminated water, which points to a serious health risk.
Matjhabeng is notorious for years of failing to maintain its sewerage infrastructure and exposing its residents to freely flowing human waste.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) insisted in a letter to the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the Municipality that steps should urgently be taken to prevent any further outbreaks of diseases.
In its 2024 report on the state of local government in the Free State, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) found that the Municipality is in contravention of the Constitution and environmental legislation because of its failure to resolve the sewerage problems.
It is time to take action against municipal officials who allow constitutional rights, such as the right to a clean and safe environment, to be violated.
