Emfuleni Local Municipality has rejected claims of worsening environmental pollution as its municipal manager, April Ntuli, prepares to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 4, in a case linked to alleged environmental violations and sewer spillages in the municipality.
The municipality’s response comes after a highly publicised letter to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, alongside statements from AfriForum and the Freedom Front Plus, which allege that sewer spillages in Emfuleni have escalated since 2018 and continue to contaminate the environment and the Vaal River system.
Emfuleni, however, has dismissed the allegations as misleading and damaging, insisting that they distort ongoing infrastructure recovery efforts.
Sewer infrastructure collapse in Emfuleni has been a long-standing concern. The municipality has for years battled failing pump stations, overloaded wastewater treatment works, vandalism and ageing sewer networks, resulting in repeated spillages into the Vaal River system. The situation previously prompted national intervention through the Department of Water and Sanitation under Section 63 of the Water Services Act.
The Star has previously reported extensively on recurring sewage spills in Sebokeng, Evaton and surrounding areas, where residents have raised concerns about health risks, overflowing manholes and slow infrastructure response times despite multiple repair programmes.
The municipality said it has implemented several interventions between 2018 and 2026 aimed at stabilising sanitation systems and reducing spillages.
These include the Sebokeng Wastewater Treatment Works Module 6 upgrade, multiple sewer line repairs through appointed contractors, the ongoing Section 63 intervention by the Department of Water and Sanitation, as well as major pipeline upgrades such as the Rothdene–Meyerton sewer line and the Main Outfall Sewer Upgrade serving Sebokeng North, Evaton and Boitumelo.
The municipality also said these projects form part of a broader turnaround effort, with further upgrades expected to continue into 2026 and beyond, alongside the establishment of the Vaal Water Corporation as a new water and sanitation utility.
In its formal statement, the municipality warned against what it called “misleading narratives” about environmental neglect, saying such claims undermine progress and public confidence.
“It is in this perspective that the ELM views claims suggesting that it is turning a blind eye to pollution as baseless and appear designed to create unnecessary panic and undermine the good work being done by Municipal Manager April Ntuli and his team of executives, managers and staff,” said municipal spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni.
The municipality added that it remains committed to environmental compliance and accountability, particularly at the Palm Springs landfill site, which has previously faced compliance notices and regulatory action.
It confirmed that remedial steps are underway, including repairs to key infrastructure such as the weighbridge, dust suppression systems, and waste monitoring processes.
The municipality concluded by reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection and cooperation with regulatory authorities.
“We will continue to work closely with regulatory authorities to ensure our sewer reticulation network and waste management services operate in a manner that protects both the environment and the health of our residents,” Sangweni said.
The Star