Emfuleni’s Water and Sanitation Crisis
By Thobeka Makume
Vanderbijlpark, 15 May 2025 – The Emfuleni Local Municipality’s ongoing water and sanitation crisis, marked by sewage spillages and water shortages, has prompted a robust government response, with the Department of Water and Sanitation committing over “R7 billion” to address these challenges over the next seven years. Announced during a Cabinet meeting on 14 May 2025, this intervention aims to overhaul wastewater treatment infrastructure and restore dignity to communities plagued by health hazards and service delivery failures.
A Deep-Rooted Crisis in Emfuleni
Emfuleni, located in southern Gauteng, has been grappling with a severe water and sanitation crisis for over a decade. Sewage spillages into residential areas, schools, and the Vaal River have created health risks, including waterborne diseases, while water outages have left residents struggling. Between 2019 and 2024, the municipality allocated over R200 million to address these issues, yet problems persist due to ageing infrastructure, mismanagement, and financial constraints.
The crisis has sparked public outrage, with residents accusing the Emfuleni Local Municipality of neglecting basic services. Posts on X reflect the community’s frustration: “Overflowing sewers, dry taps: Emfuleni struggles spark DA appeal to human rights watchdog.” Another post highlighted the municipality’s failure to utilize funds: “Emfuleni Local Municipality has returned R640 MILLION in unspent funds to the Treasury—while residents face water shortages, sewage spills.” These sentiments underscore the urgency of the government’s intervention.
Government’s R7 Billion Intervention Plan
During a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting, Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, outlined the government’s response to Emfuleni’s crisis. “The Department of Water and Sanitation plans to spend over R7 billion in the next seven years to address the Emfuleni water challenges including the upgrades and refurbishment of existing wastewater treatment works,” she stated.
This intervention, enacted under Section 63 of the Water Services Act, follows an oversight visit by Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina on 25 August 2024, which exposed the extent of the municipality’s infrastructure failures.
The R7 billion plan focuses on critical upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, such as the Sebokeng, Rietspruit, and Leeuwkuil facilities, which have been discharging untreated effluent into the Vaal River. Progress to date includes unblocking sewer lines, replacing collapsed pipelines, refurbishing pump stations, and providing the municipality with vehicles, trucks, TLBs, and security for its infrastructure. “This work has resulted in major reduction in sewer spillage in communities of Emfuleni as well as an improvement in the levels of effluent from the wastewater treatment works,” Ntshavheni noted.
The intervention aligns with Operation Vulindlela Phase II, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 7 May 2025, which prioritizes reforms in water and local government systems to improve service delivery. “The OV Phase II will oversee the conclusion of reforms which started in the 6th administration in the areas of energy, water, logistics, and telecommunications,” Ntshavheni explained, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing systemic challenges.
Financial Mismanagement and Accountability Issues
Despite the government’s efforts, Emfuleni’s financial mismanagement has hindered progress. The municipality returned R640 million in unspent funds to the National Treasury in 2024, drawing criticism for failing to utilize resources to address the crisis. Additionally, Emfuleni has lost over R3.3 billion in non-revenue water over the past five years due to leaks, illegal connections, and billing inefficiencies, exacerbating water shortages.
The municipality’s R7.8 billion debt to Rand Water, which supplies nearly half of its water, has further strained service delivery. These financial challenges prompted the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to subpoena Emfuleni officials in April 2025 to account for their failure to address the sewage crisis, which poses significant health risks to residents.
Community Impact and Public Health Concerns
The water and sanitation crisis has had devastating effects on Emfuleni’s communities, particularly in townships like Sebokeng, Sharpeville, and Evaton. Sewage spills have contaminated groundwater and the Vaal River, a critical water source for millions, threatening ecosystems and public health. Residents report skin rashes, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal illnesses linked to polluted water. Schools have been forced to close temporarily, and businesses have suffered due to unreliable water supply.
The SAHRC’s investigation revealed that the crisis violates residents’ constitutional rights to a clean environment and access to water. Community activists have organized protests, demanding accountability and immediate action. “Basic service delivery is collapsing in the crisis-ridden Emfuleni Local Municipality,” a post on X stated, reflecting the growing discontent.
Broader Context: National Water Challenges
Emfuleni’s crisis is part of a broader water management challenge in South Africa, where ageing infrastructure and mismanagement have strained municipal services. The Department of Water and Sanitation’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan highlights the need for R38 billion in blended finance projects to address water infrastructure deficits nationwide. In Gauteng, high levels of non-revenue water and municipal debts have compounded the problem, with no quick fix unless local reticulation systems are repaired and water demand reduced.
The government’s response includes initiatives like the Water Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (WSACF), launched on 14 May 2025, to tackle corruption in water management. The WSACF, supported by Minister Majodina, aims to enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring resources like the R7 billion allocation for Emfuleni are used effectively.
Progress and Challenges Ahead
While the R7 billion plan has shown early results, such as reduced sewer spillages and improved effluent quality, significant challenges remain. The completion of wastewater treatment upgrades is expected to take seven years, raising concerns about interim solutions for residents. The municipality’s limited technical capacity and ongoing financial woes could further delay progress. The government has proposed establishing professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water services to improve efficiency, but implementation is still in early stages.
Community engagement is critical to the intervention’s success. Minister Majodina has called for collaboration with residents, businesses, and civil society to monitor progress and address grievances. The appointment of Mokgema Mongane as CEO of the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency and Ofentse Nthutang as CEO of Magalies Water signals a push for stronger leadership in water governance, which could benefit Emfuleni’s recovery.
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