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Residents of Seweding village in Mahikeng say they’ve been going through persistent sewage spills for months. Annoyed residents say they really feel helpless as uncooked sewage repeatedly floods their streets and entrance yards, creating unsanitary dwelling circumstances.
The state of affairs will get worse each time it rains as uncooked sewage mixes with stormwater.
“It’s disgusting. We will’t even permit our youngsters to play exterior, and the scent is insufferable,” says resident Thandiwe Mokoena. “We’ve reported this to the municipality many occasions, however nothing appears to vary.”
Residents additionally worry long-term environmental harm and declining property worth.
“We want fast motion,” says group chief Kgosi Motwani.
The Mahikeng Native Municipality has acknowledged the sewage downside, citing ageing infrastructure and sudden climate patterns as contributing elements. Officers have promised investigations and repairs. However residents stay sceptical, saying they need motion, not assurances.
It’s been almost a 12 months since Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality mayor, Khumalo Molefe, visited the world in February 2025 following complaints from residents. Regardless of assurances that work is underway, residents say their lives and well being stay in danger. They’re calling for interim measures, together with momentary waste administration options and well being screenings, whereas long-term repairs proceed.
Issues over service supply failures within the North West had been echoed in a latest report by the South African Human Rights Fee (SAHRC), which highlighted persistent sewage spills in areas resembling Mahikeng. The fee described uncooked sewage flowing via communities, lack of unpolluted water, and collapsing infrastructure as violations of residents’ human rights.
Since 2023, a number of areas within the province have skilled repeated sewer spillages, with uncooked sewage flooding no less than 14 households throughout main incidents.
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Seweding resident Sinah Cungwa, who was recognized with bronchial asthma final 12 months, says the sewage publicity has worsened her well being.
“I’ve spent some huge cash in search of medical therapy,” she says. “The physician advised me my lungs are contaminated and that this might be everlasting. I wish to method the Human Rights Fee for assist as a result of I can’t afford ongoing medical care.” — Well being-e Information
