Kouga sewage pollution: residents need results, not paper compliance
Statement by Mr Chris Mtyaleka, UDM Eastern Cape Provincial Fundraiser and Jeffreys Bay resident
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Jeffreys Bay notes with serious concern the continued allegations of sewage pollution affecting Jeffreys Bay, KwaNomzamo, Humansdorp and the Seekoei Estuary.
This is not a distant administrative matter. It affects residents directly. It concerns public health, the safety of beaches, the protection of the environment, local businesses, tourism, and the credibility of the Kouga Local Municipality.
The Public Protector’s report, dated 29 September 2025, found that the allegation that the Kouga Local Municipality had failed to properly maintain the Jeffreys Bay and KwaNomzamo wastewater treatment works was substantiated. That finding cannot be answered with public relations language, technical excuses or vague promises of future improvement.
This matter did not begin yesterday. The complaint reportedly dates back to 2019, while residents and activists have alleged that people have been exposed to contaminated water in the Seekoei Estuary since around 2016. That means this community has lived with sewage-related risk for years.
The municipality now says that an implementation plan requested by the Public Protector in September 2025 has been tabled before council, approved, and is being implemented. That may be the municipality’s position, but the real test is whether sewage spills stop, whether the wastewater treatment works function properly, whether water quality is safe, and whether residents receive honest and timeous information.
By July 2026, residents are entitled to ask what has actually changed since the Public Protector’s report. They are entitled to know what work has been completed, what remains outstanding, what deadlines apply, and who is responsible for delivery.
The UDM in Jeffreys Bay is concerned that residents, activists and affected communities have had to raise these issues over several years before meaningful action became visible. No municipality should wait for repeated complaints, media attention or formal findings before maintaining wastewater infrastructure, protecting public health and safeguarding the environment.
Jeffreys Bay is a residential area, a tourism destination, an economic asset and part of South Africa’s coastal heritage. Pollution of beaches and estuaries damages public confidence, affects local businesses, threatens livelihoods and places residents at unnecessary risk.
The UDM in Jeffreys Bay calls on the Kouga Local Municipality to urgently publish a clear progress report on the implementation of the Public Protector’s remedial action. The report must explain what has been done since 29 September 2025, what remains outstanding, what budget has been allocated, and when residents can expect verifiable improvement.
The municipality must also provide regular public updates on water quality testing, sewage spills, beach or estuary closures, and any public health risks. These updates must be factual, accessible and consistent. Residents should not have to rely on rumours, social media posts or activist monitoring to know whether their environment is safe.
The UDM in Jeffreys Bay further calls on the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism to ensure that its investigation is properly concluded, and that any failures by the municipality, officials, contractors or service providers are acted upon.
The people of Jeffreys Bay, KwaNomzamo, Humansdorp and surrounding communities deserve clean water, safe beaches, functioning wastewater treatment works and straight answers from those responsible.
The UDM in Jeffreys Bay will continue to press for measurable remedial action, public reporting and proper accountability from the Kouga Local Municipality and all responsible authorities.
Consistent. UDM. Present. Accountable. Local government that works.
