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
Wastewater treatment works clean sewage before the water goes back into rivers. When they fail, dirty water can reach rivers and harm people. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report lists all three cases as ones where action to fix them is being taken. The City reported that it answered 43.07% of sewer callouts within 48 hours in 2024-25. Its target was 85%, and the Auditor-General lists it as not met.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 28 April 2026.
Where to look: Slide 34 (PDF page 34), 'Material irregularities (MIs) identified and status': '3 Substantial harm to general public(ERWAT)'; 'Pollution of water resource not prevented at Olifantsfontein wastewater treatment works – harm to the general public (ERWAT)', the same for the Waterval and Ancor works; status column '4 Appropriate action in progress'.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 197 (PDF page 201), City of Ekurhuleni dashboard, 'Material irregularities (including municipal entity)', under 'Appropriate action': 'Pollution of water sources, resulting in harm to public (3)'. Printed page 198 (PDF page 202), paragraph 1: 'The metro has two entities, namely, East Rand Water Care Company and Ekurhuleni Housing Company'. Printed page 173 (PDF page 177): MI notifications to 'East Rand Water Care Company' relating to 'the poor management of wastewater treatment works and landfill sites'.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 23 March 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 38, table 'Key service delivery indicator not achieved': 'WS3.11: Percentage of callouts responded to within 48 hours (sanitation/wastewater)', planned target 85%, reported achievement 43.07% (page 7 of the report).
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Nkosindiphile Xhakaza (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, African Independent Congress. From Apr 2024 to Feb 2026.
City of Ekurhuleni. Published 18 October 2026.
Where to look: Opening line: 'was elected as the Executive Mayor on 11 April 2024 during an extraordinary council meeting' (page undated; date = day read)
Daily Maverick. Published 11 April 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 3: Xhakaza elected unopposed as executive mayor at an extraordinary council meeting on Thursday 11 April 2024
EWN. Published 15 April 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 2 (EFF retains its five mayoral committee seats, ANC has four); paragraph 3 (former mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana is MMC for Corporate and Shared Services); the embedded EWN post below the article names him as AIC
Daily Maverick. Published 19 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (reshuffle on Tuesday night); paragraph 4 (EFF turned down two posts, had four, pulled out of the coalition); paragraph 6 (coalition of ANC, EFF, ActionSA and PA)
IOL. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Paragraphs 21-22: ActionSA says it was not part of any agreement and will not join the mayor's government
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