It is not water. It is gross negligence.
AfriForum requests the minister to urgently intervene and the hold the municipal manager personally accountable for this unacceptable situation. There must be clear consequences for negligence and concrete steps must be put in place to implement sustainable solutions.
Send a letter to the minister to hold the municipal management personally accountable for this mess.
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| 12 February 2026 |
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Mr W. Aucamp Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Environment House 473 Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road Arcadia PRETORIA 0083 By email: Minister@dffe.gov.za / tmolobi@dffe.gov.za |
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CC: Ms N. Tshabalala Director-General Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Environment House 473 Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Road Arcadia PRETORIA 0083 By email: dg@dffe.gov.za |
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Dear Mr Aucamp REQUEST FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF POLLUTION CASES OPENED BY AFRIFORUM AGAINST MR APRIL NTULI My name is _______, and as a concerned resident and citizen, I feel compelled to write to you regarding the ongoing and worsening pollution of the Vaal River. It is heartbreaking to witness the steady destruction of a river that should be a source of life, recreation and dignity for our communities, yet is now contaminated by sewage and neglect. The impact on our families’ health, our children’s future and the environment we depend on has become unbearable, and I respectfully urge your office to take urgent action to address this crisis before further irreversible damage is done. I hereby formally request the urgent intervention of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment regarding two pollution cases opened by AfriForum during 2024 against Mr April Ntuli in connection with ongoing sewage pollution and non-compliance with the National Water Act and related environmental legislation within the Emfuleni Local Municipality. The case number is CAS 76/5/2024, registered on 3 May 2024. The other case number is still pending. As you are aware, AfriForum initially laid criminal charges in 2018 regarding the continuous discharge of untreated sewage into rivers and the environment. A summons has now finally been issued, but it has taken nearly five years for the case to reach court. During this period, the environmental damage has escalated significantly, and the sewage crisis has worsened to an alarming extent. Raw sewage continues to flow into rivers, residential areas and public spaces, posing serious risks to public health, water security and the environment. The ongoing pollution is not only unlawful but represents a direct violation of residents’ constitutional right to a safe and healthy environment. Given the severity and urgency of the situation, the community cannot accept a similar delay in the 2024 matters. Communities simply cannot wait another five years for accountability while the pollution continues unchecked. I therefore respectfully request that the Department:
Immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further environmental degradation and to restore lawful and effective management of sewage infrastructure in Emfuleni. I trust that the Department will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and we look forward to your prompt response. Note: Please see photos attached of the current situation in the Vaal River. Kind regards |
