Crisis in Mogale City: failing wastewater plants spark public health alarm

Public inquiry exposes dangerous decline in Mogale City’s sewer infrastructure

Day three of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) public inquiry into water challenges across Gauteng focused on Mogale City Municipality, where officials were questioned over service delivery failures that have left communities and the environment at risk.

What emerged at the hearings

According to Iol, the municipality’s manager, Makhosana Msezana, was grilled about a string of infrastructure backlogs and repeated sewer spillages that have contaminated rivers and other water sources. These failures were presented as threats to public health and environmental safety.

Iol reports that all three of Mogale City’s wastewater treatment works Flip Human, Percy Stewart and Magaliesburg have recorded marked declines in operating efficiency. Flip Human is operating at 30% capacity (down from 64% in 2021), Percy Stewart at 30% (down from 68% in 2021) and Magaliesburg at 27% (down from 49% previously), the outlet said.

Accountability and enforcement

SAHRC inquiry chairperson Dr Henk Boshoff pressed Msezana on the municipality’s response to reported sewage spillages. Dr Boshoff told the manager he had received testimony about sewage entering Klipriver and said he had communications from the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding enforcement action and three criminal cases opened against the municipality.

“I must remind you, MM. We received testimony over sewage spillage from Klipriver wastewater in your municipality. I also have communication from the Department of Water and Sanitation on their enforcement action, with regard to three criminal cases that have been opened against your municipality.”

Municipal response

Msezana acknowledged the problems, telling the inquiry the municipality recognises challenges at its wastewater treatment works. He said refurbishment work at Magaliesburg had been completed, according to Iol.

“Chairperson, I think it’s important, maybe just to give you context. One, we do acknowledge that there are challenges relating to the wastewater treatment works at Mogale City… when it comes to uh Magaliesburg, we’ve undertaken the necessary refurbishment programme. So, that exercise has already been completed.”

Wider context in Gauteng

The SAHRC is holding public hearings on water challenges affecting multiple Gauteng communities. In related sessions, City of Johannesburg officials also faced questions about water supply issues affecting residents in areas including Westdene and Sophiatown, the inquiry heard.

What this means for residents

The testimony and reports presented at the hearing point to a deterioration in wastewater treatment capacity in Mogale City and documented sewer spillages contaminating rivers. These conditions were described at the inquiry as endangering both community health and local ecosystems, as reported by Iol.

The SAHRC hearings will continue as it probes the scope of water and sanitation failures in the province and the responses of municipal authorities.