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 is let out. The Auditor-General lists the missing licences as a breach of environmental law. A material irregularity is the Auditor-General's name for a broken law or duty that caused, or may cause, a big loss or serious harm. It says weak pollution control of water sources contributed to substantial harm to the public. The report does not name the works.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 173 (PDF page 177), material findings on non-compliance with environmental management legislation: 'Wastewater treatment works did not have operating licences at Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mangaung and eThekwini'; same page: 28 MI notifications to five metros, Nelson Mandela Bay among them, on wastewater works, landfill sites and related matters. Printed page 206 (PDF page 210), Nelson Mandela Bay dashboard, 'Material irregularities': under 'Appropriate action not taken – decision on invoking powers in process': 'Pollution of water sources, resulting in harm to public (1)'. Printed page 207 (PDF page 211), paragraph 6: 'Service delivery failures are evident in deteriorating water infrastructure, inadequate pollution control of water resources and ineffective infrastructure project implementation. These shortcomings contributed to water losses exceeding acceptable benchmarks, substantial harm to the public, and delays in housing delivery.'
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Babalwa Lobishe (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance, Defenders of the People, African Independent Congress. From Oct 2024 to present.
EWN. Published 31 October 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (ANC councillor Lobishe elected uncontested as mayor); paragraph 2 (she resigned as deputy mayor on Thursday morning); paragraph after the 'ALSO READ' link (Van Niekerk elected deputy mayor unopposed)
Daily Maverick. Published 21 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 6 (AIM's Khusta Jack resigned from the coalition in May); paragraph 7 (ANC 47 in coalition with EFF 7, NA 3, Defenders of the People 2, PAC 1 and AIC 1, with UDM voting support; 62 of 120 seats). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
Daily Maverick. Published 13 September 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 5 (three government changes since 2021); paragraph 11 (coalition partners the EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance and AIC); paragraph 14 (EFF leads Electricity and Energy, and Budget and Treasury). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
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