Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Community Affairs Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum files appeal against Ekurhuleni Metro over sewage pollution

ByAfriForum 23/10/202523/10/2025

AfriForum lodged an internal appeal against the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality on 13 October after the Metro failed to respond to an application submitted in August in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). In the initial application, the civil rights organisation requested information regarding sewage leaks and sewage pumping stations that are out of order. As of 23 October, the Metro had not yet said a word about the internal appeal.

The PAIA application follows in response to the ongoing sewage pollution in the Ekurhuleni Metro, which is getting out of hand and poses serious environmental and health risks. Raw sewage that flowed into, among others, Main Reef Road (between Benoni and Brakpan), caused potholes in the road, which damaged several vehicles. Motorists could not see the potholes because it was covered with sewage water. The water hyacinths in Civic Lake and Homestead Dam in Benoni are also one of the major causes of sewage pollution.

According to a recent press release by the Ekurhuleni Metro, sewer pipes in Chief Albert Luthuli, Benoni, have been unblocked. The blockages were mainly caused by foreign objects. Although AfriForum welcomes these repairs, there is still a lot that needs to be done.

“AfriForum is seeking answers and demands that the Metro urgently address this sewer crisis by carrying out the necessary repairs to the pumping stations and stormwater channels. This infrastructure plays a key role in preventing sewage pollution, flooding and further environmental damage,” says Nadia Olckers, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand.

The Ekurhuleni Metro has until 12 November to respond to AfriForum’s internal appeal. If AfriForum does not receive feedback within the prescribed period, the organisation will approach the information regulator to lodge a complaint in this regard.