ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has declared that his party is prepared for a legal battle against the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality over its failure to address the ongoing sewage infrastructure collapse, which has led to raw sewage flowing into rivers and the ocean.
The party conducted a site inspection of the city’s sewage systems and found that the situation has deteriorated since 2022. Mashaba emphasized that the municipality has neglected its duty to protect the environment, allowing pollution to destroy beaches and waterways critical to tourism and public health.
Court Action to Force Intervention
The case is set to be heard in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, where ActionSA will seek a court order compelling the municipality to take immediate action. Mashaba stated that the party had been engaged in the issue since 2022 when its KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson raised concerns about the environmental and health hazards posed by the sewage spills.
“This is not just about eThekwini residents—it’s about all South Africans,” Mashaba said. “These beaches belong to the nation, and for the past few years, people have been deprived of enjoying them due to the negligence of irresponsible leadership.”
Holding All Government Spheres Accountable
ActionSA’s legal action extends beyond the municipality, targeting provincial and national departments, including Cooperative Governance and Environmental Affairs. Mashaba accused higher government spheres of failing to support and hold municipalities accountable for service delivery.
“We are not just filing papers against the municipality—we are taking on the province and national government because all three levels have a constitutional duty to protect our environment,” he said.
The case highlights growing frustration over infrastructure decay and pollution in Durban, once a premier tourist destination. ActionSA hopes the court will enforce urgent repairs to prevent further ecological damage.
