LESEDI GIVEN 14 DAYS TO ACT ON RATANDA SEWAGE CRISIS

Lesedi Local Municipality has been given 14 days to explain why it should not be issued with a formal directive over sewage pollution in Ratanda and the Blesbokspruit River.

The Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency (VOCMA) issued the notice following an inspection of the Obed Nkosi RDP housing development in Ratanda, near Heidelberg, in east Gauteng.

On 20 August, two days after the issue was raised during a visit to the area, VOCMA officials confirmed that raw sewage was overflowing from manholes and entering the Blesbokspruit. Residents have dubbed the contaminated area a “poo lake”.

VOCMA CEO Lerato Morake, in a letter to Lesedi dated 1 September 2026, warned that the discharge posed a potential pollution risk to the water resource and surrounding environment.

“The observed discharge of raw sewage into the Blesbokspruit creates a potential risk of pollution of the water resource and surrounding environment, including potential impacts on surface water, soil, and groundwater resources,” Morake wrote.

The Blesbokspruit flows into the Suikerbosrand River, which eventually feeds into the Vaal River, an important source of water for Gauteng.

If the Lesedi municipal manager fails to respond within 14 days, the municipality could be ordered to:

* Immediately stop discharging wastewater into the Blesbokspruit unless it can demonstrate that it has the necessary authorisation.

* Submit a plan to VOCMA detailing how it intends to repair its infrastructure and prevent further sewage spills.

* Appoint a suitably qualified professional to assess, plan and cost the rehabilitation of land affected by sewage pollution.

* Implement the approved rehabilitation plan within 30 working days of receiving VOCMA's approval.

The sewage crisis is not new.

Residents in parts of Ratanda have endured sewage flowing through streets and into homes for years.

During the visit, Mrs Primrose Thokwane, a resident of Hlatshwayo Street, showed how sewage had spilled into her home. She said the problem had persisted for more than 40 years despite repeatedly raising the matter with the mayor and ward councillors.

The continued sewage spills have left residents exposed to an ongoing environmental and public health threat while also undermining their dignity.

Lesedi Municipality now faces mounting pressure to urgently repair its failing sewer infrastructure and stop the pollution of the Blesbokspruit.

Dr Jack Bloom, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, said he would continue pressing the municipality to take effective action.

“I will continue to press Lesedi Municipality to take effective action in this matter.”