Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
The Auditor-General's briefing to Parliament records these findings. So does its 2024-25 local government report. But its audit report in the city's annual report gives a different count. It says 4 of 15 works were not working because of vandalism (damage done on purpose). It also says 9 had no flow meters (devices that measure how much water flows). So the exact number not working is uncertain.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Slide 18 'Key messages on service delivery', 'Wastewater management': 'Twelve of the Fifteen Wastewater Treatment Works plants of the BCMM have expired Water Use Licenses' and 'Twelve of the fifteen municipal WWTW's are not operational, and the raw/untreated effluent is discharged into the river streams'. Slide 12: material irregularity notifications 02, 03 and 04 of 2024-25, 'issued 26 November 2025', 'Pollution of water resource not prevented – Buffalo River' at the Reeston, Zwelitsha and Schornville works
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 173 (PDF page 177): 'Wastewater treatment works did not have operating licences at Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung and eThekwini' and material findings on environmental law 'every year for Buffalo City' since 2021-22. Printed page 255 (PDF page 259): 'At Buffalo City Metro, delays in decommissioning sewage treatment works led to the continued discharge of non compliant wastewater into the Buffalo River'
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 1 February 2026.
Where to look: PDF page 657, Auditor-General's report paragraph 27 table, indicator 'Percentage of wastewater treatment capacity unused': 'Of the 15 Wastewater Treatment Works, only 2 have measurable flows, while 9 lack measuring tools and 4 are non-operational due to vandalism'
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Princess Faku (ANC). Council run by ANC. From Mar 2023 to present.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 27 March 2023.
Where to look: Lead paragraph ('elected as the new Mayor of Buffalo City Metro during the Special Council meeting on Thursday evening 23 March 2023'); paragraph 2 ('takes over from Cllr Xola Pakati who resigned on Monday 20 March')
SABC News. Published 23 March 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Faku elected; Pakati 'resigned on Monday'; the ANC PEC 'recalled Pakati two weeks ago citing poor audit outcomes, wasteful expenditure and failure to collect revenue'); paragraph 3 ('62 votes against the 22 for Bentley'); paragraph 5 (EFF did not vote). Paragraph 2 is a linked video title.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 22 November 2021.
Where to look: Page 3 of 4, seat table: 'AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 61 43 18' (total, ward, PR seats); page 4: 'Total Party Seats 100 50 50'. Printed on 2021/11/22.
Daily Maverick. Published 1 October 2026.
Where to look: Buffalo City mayoral candidates section: 'The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. The ANC has offered incumbent mayor Princess Faku, former deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, Simphiwe Dzengwa and Ncedo Kumbaca as its potential candidates.'
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