Krugersdorp, South Africa – Mogale City Mayor Lucky Sele has declared that his administration is making headway in combating theft and vandalism of critical water infrastructure, following a sewage crisis that drew national attention.
Speaking during his State of the City Address, Sele revealed that the municipality has refurbished 17 sewer pumping stations to address water pollution challenges. The area has struggled with raw sewage contaminating water streams, affecting residents and nearby tourist attractions.
The crisis prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to call for urgent intervention in October 2023. Sele attributed the problems to vandalism, theft of infrastructure, and underinvestment, but insisted that progress is being made.
“We had to replace [the infrastructure] because the water discharged into the river streams did not meet quality standards,” Sele said. “We are working to bring these facilities back into operation and replace stolen components—at a cost of millions in taxpayer money.”
Political Backlash Over Credit Claims
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mogale City has accused Mayor Sele of taking credit for projects initiated under their governance. The DA-led coalition was ousted in 2023 and replaced by an ANC-EFF administration.
“Most of the wins he’s referring to come from the backdrop of DA governance,” a DA representative said. “Projects like the Gahiso Elderly Center were our achievements.”
Meanwhile, ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nvula Munyan acknowledged past failures, noting that the party lost its outright majority in Mogale City since the 2016 local elections.
“The lesson for the ANC is never to underestimate the will of the people,” Munyan said. “We now have a chance to prove ourselves through the mayor and executive committee.”
Illegal Mining Remains a Challenge
Beyond water infrastructure, the tourism-dependent municipality faces ongoing issues with illegal mining, which has left some Kagiso residents living in fear.
As Mogale City works to restore public trust, the debate over governance and infrastructure progress continues to fuel political tensions.