By Mapaballo Borotho
- The City of Tshwane has been given 60 days to fix failing sewage systems after a sharp decline in performance.
- Poor maintenance, staff shortages and underspending have led to pollution and serious health risks.
- Officials warn that a lack of political will is worsening the crisis.
The City of Tshwane has been given at least 60 days to fix its collapsing sewage treatment plants, as it poses a huge risk to residents and the environment.
According to the 2025 Green Drop Report, the metro’s performance score has dropped from 82% in 2013 to below 34%, placing it under regulatory surveillance and pointing to serious operational and governance failures.
The deterioration of the wastewater management system has resulted in sewage pollution, posing significant health risks to residents.
This as poorly treated sewage is being released into rivers, causing pathogen spread and ecosystem destruction.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Sello Seitlholo said that despite several webinars aimed at improving operations, municipalities continue to decline due to a lack of political will.
“You don’t need the Department of Water and Sanitation to tell you how to run your city. Leaders must ensure water systems are maintained and that capable staff are employed to manage services effectively,” he said.
For the full discussion, listen to the podcast …
The Green Drop Report also found that the decline in Pretoria is linked to a shortage of engineering capacity, with fewer than three qualified staff per plant compared to more than eight in Johannesburg.
In addition, the metro has underspent its operations and maintenance budget by more than 20%, further contributing to the collapse of its sewage systems.
The city has been warned that without interventions, there will be serious public health risks, environmental degradation, and rising economic costs linked to water treatment, agriculture, and long-term water security.
READ NEXT: Vaal River contaminated by raw sewage – KAYA 959
The post What happens when a city fails to manage its sewage systems – and what it means for residents appeared first on KAYA 959.
