Musina residents still living with sewage despite Public Protector findings

Residents of Matswale township in Musina continue to endure sewage spills and overwhelming wastewater despite findings from the Public Protector, who concluded that authorities had failed to properly maintain the town's sewage infrastructure. Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) and Musina Local Municipality (MLM) have been criticized for not adequately addressing the issue, which has violated residents' constitutional right to a healthy environment.

Officials from both municipalities have been found to have committed improper conduct and maladministration. This issue has persisted for over a year, causing residents significant distress and health concerns. A resident moving into the area recently stated that her family keeps windows closed due to the stench, while another resident mentioned the negative impact on his food vendor business.

Despite previous repairs, the sewage problem remains, with health concerns and mosquito infestations affecting both informal food vendors and residents growing vegetables.