Boipatong sewage crisis finally gets authorities’ attention

The situation in Gauteng’s Boipatong township has drawn the attention of Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister Jack Bloom. Following a report by The Citizen, Bloom contacted human rights activist Rev Modise Molefe, president of the Reliable Environmental Protection and Care Agency (Repca). Molefe relayed the case of 63-year-old Masetumo Marago, whose home in Batloung Street has been contaminated with raw sewage for nearly two years, causing bronchitis linked to prolonged exposure.

Molefe acknowledged that Bloom's intervention had drawn the crisis to Gauteng provincial structures, with discussions expected on the broader water and sanitation service collapse in Emfuleni. However, he cautioned that the efficacy of the intervention would be measured by tangible ground-level changes. Repca and its human rights coalition pledged to monitor three outcomes from their engagement with Bloom.

These include a meeting between Bloom, Rand Water, and the Vaal Anti-Pollution Forum, aimed at facilitating immediate structural interventions and addressing pollution in the Vaal system. The coalition will also track the progress of a planned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Emfuleni, expected to be operational by December, designed to replace ageing and malfunctioning sewer infrastructure.

Finally, Repca will oversee the escalation of the Batloung Street crisis to Gauteng's provincial leadership, confirmed by Bloom to have been referred to Justice Maluleke, director of the Gauteng department of water and sanitation, who subsequently escalated the matter to Emfuleni's municipal manager, April Ntuli, for progress tracking.

Molefe expressed doubt about the municipality's ability to resolve the crisis independently, citing Emfuleni's position under Section 63 of the Water Services Act, which mandates national intervention. He stressed that national structures and their agents must supply the necessary resources, technical capacity, and executive leadership to restore the collapsed water and sanitation infrastructure.

Molefe affirmed that he would keep Bloom informed of the coalition’s formal petition to the United Nations human rights system, while holding the government accountable to its constitutional duties. He urged Bloom's office to deliver on its constitutional obligations without further delay.