AfriForum demands Emfuleni Municipal Manager be held accountable for ongoing sewage pollution
AfriForum calls on Willie Aucamp, Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to urgently investigate and bring to court without further delay the two criminal charges that the organisation in 2024 and 2025 laid against April Ntuli, the Municipal Manager of the Emfuleni Local Municipality. These charges – in terms of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 – arise from the ongoing and serious spilling of raw sewage in Sasolburg, Vaalpark and Vanderbijlpark. Communities along the Vaal River are particularly affected.
In a letter sent to the Minister yesterday, AfriForum says that raw sewage continues to flow into rivers, residential areas and public spaces, posing serious risks to health, water security and the environment. The ongoing pollution is not only illegal but represents a direct violation of residents’ constitutional right to a safe and healthy environment.
“We cannot wait another five years for a case to come before court. The pollution is a huge problem and the situation is only getting worse. The current Municipal Manager must be held accountable in his personal capacity. The ANC’s practice of replacing municipal managers as soon as accountability threatens seems like a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility. This cannot be allowed,” says Jaco Grobbelaar, AfriForum’s head for the Central Region.
In its letter to the Department, AfriForum asks that the two cases filed against Ntuli in 2024 and last year be urgently investigated; that action in terms of the law and environmental legislation be prioritised; and that the Department ensure that responsible officials are held personally accountable and that these cases are expedited for prosecution.
AfriForum’s request follows a summons issued and served on the Emfuleni Municipality to appear in court on 3 March 2026. This follows criminal charges that the organisation had already filed against the Municipality in 2018 due to the ongoing sewage spills and serious water pollution.
“The fact that it took almost five years before any real action was taken is, however, worrying. During this period, pollution has only worsened, rivers have been contaminated, infrastructure has further deteriorated and residents’ health and property have been put at risk,” says Grobbelaar.
AfriForum has also instructed its legal team to appoint an official who will closely monitor the criminal process, attend court proceedings, liaise with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and ensure that the case is not delayed, watered down or abandoned unnecessarily.
“The ongoing sewage crisis is clear evidence of a lack of management capacity, poor maintenance, inadequate planning and a total lack of political will. Despite years of warnings, court cases and community pressure, raw sewage continues to spill into streets, rivers and residential areas. The Municipality has repeatedly proven that it simply does not have the capacity or expertise to manage the sewage works properly. Communities are paying the price for this incompetence,” concludes Grobbelaar.
AfriForum also submitted a cooperation agreement to the Emfuleni Municipality on 8 October 2025 in which expert, private sector assistance is offered to stabilise and manage the sewage infrastructure. However, this offer is still pending with the Municipality’ legal department without any final approval.
