Johannesburg – The DA in Mpumalanga has laid criminal charges against the Govan Mbeki municipal manager and the director of technical services, the party said on Tuesday.

The Democratic Alliance claimed municipal manager Mmela Mahlangu and director of technical services Bongani Mtshali had contravened the National Water Act by failing to address sewage problems in the municipality.

“The sewage leaks in the municipality are so severe that they have affected three water sources, namely the Grootbrak River in Evander/Embalenhle, the Waterval River in Leandra/Lebogang, and the Blesbokspruit in Bethal/Emzinoni,” DA councillor Tim Denny said in a statement.

“Water samples taken from these sources have shown catastrophic levels of faecal coliform bacteria, which is dangerous for both human and animal consumption.”

The municipality could not be reached for comment.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Leonard Hlathi confirmed that a case had been opened at the Embalenhle police station.

Denny said the DA and members of the community had been trying for more than a year to get the municipality to repair the sewerage problems.

The municipality had also failed to inform residents of any health risks.

“It is both Mr Mahlangu and Mr Mtshali’s direct responsibility as municipal and departmental heads to ensure that sewage is disposed of in a manner that will not pose a threat to the well-being of the community,” he said.

– SAPA