The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is in the process of subpoenaing the executive mayor of the Merafong City Local Municipality, Ms Mapehfo Mogale-Letsie, over the ongoing sewage spillage in Khutsong.
A group of furious residents, headed by Mr Mzwandile Maila, has been seeking assistance from the SAHRC to force the municipality to attend to the continual sewer spillage since 2015.

These have not only destroyed many houses in Khutsong but have also affected the health of some residents.
A delegation of the SAHRC visited Khutsong last year. On Tuesday, Maila sent the Herald correspondence in which a senior legal officer of the SAHRC, Mr Matthew du Plessis, informed him that the organisation is in the process of instituting subpoena proceedings against the mayor to get her to answer to the Commission regarding the spillage in the area. By this week, houses in several parts of Khutsong and Khutsong South had been affected by sewage leaks.
The Herald asked the Merafong City Local Municipality for comment on Tuesday.

‘The sewer spillage in Khutsong is caused by continuous blockages. The existing infrastructure is not compatible with the dolomitic ground conditions because it does not allow for movement.

All the infrastructure needs to be replaced with HDPE pipe to allow for movement in this type of ground,’ a municipal spokesperson said.
‘The disaster management has assisted with the outfall sewer linked to the sand sewer blockages but more funding is needed to address the whole problem.
‘The execution of the storm water project needs to cover all the areas in order for the municipality to prevent water from seeping through the sewer lines, causing the sand to settle and build up within the pipe, thus creating a blockage. All spillage affecting the natural resources are reported to Gauteng Department of Water and Sanitation,’ the spokesperson concluded.

Source: Carletonville Herald