The investigation followed complaints, stakeholder representations, and recurring public concerns relating to sewage spillages, wastewater-treatment failures and possible contamination of public water environments. The Commission independently tested nine selected sites across Kouga Local Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, and also considered municipal monitoring data and relevant oversight material.
The investigation approached wastewater pollution as a human-rights and environmental concern. Rivers, estuaries and beaches are public spaces connected to health, dignity, recreation, livelihoods, tourism and ecological well-being. Failures to treat and contain wastewater may therefore implicate the constitutional right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being, as well as municipal duties to provide sanitation services sustainably and protect affected communities.
The report will set out the Commission’s findings and recommendations to the affected stakeholders, municipalities and relevant regulatory authorities. Members of the media are invited to attend the launch.
- Date: Monday, 27 July 2026
- Time: 10h00-13h00
- Venue: The Mandyville Uys Street, Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape
Members of the public and other interested stakeholders who wish to attend in person, or who would like to receive the Microsoft Teams link, are requested to contact:
Brandon Ainslie, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ENDS