MAKHANDA, Eastern Cape – The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has released its findings into the prolonged water and sanitation crisis affecting Makana Local Municipality, as residents of Makhanda and surrounding areas continue to demand accountability for conditions they say violate their health, dignity, and basic human rights.
The investigation, which follows years of community complaints, examined recurring water outages, sewage spillages, and deteriorating infrastructure across the municipality, which includes Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and surrounding towns such as Alicedale and Salem.
According to the commission’s inquiry, raw sewage from an overflowing waste treatment plant in Unit 10 flows through multiple townships, including Joza—one of the area’s oldest settlements—past the Oval Stadium, and into N Street. Approximately 50 households in N Street still rely on pit latrines, and residents report that municipal collection of pit latrine waste is irregular or nonexistent. This has forced some residents to dispose of waste into nearby streams that feed into the Kowie River, particularly during rainfall.
Field observations noted that even in dry conditions, low-lying areas remain damp due to persistent sewage accumulation. Recent flooding exacerbated the overflow, with contaminated water moving under local bridges and disrupting pedestrian and vehicle access. Safety concerns were raised as residents navigated makeshift routes to avoid hazardous terrain.
Beyond sanitation, the municipality faces widespread road deterioration. While a recently funded project has introduced paving alternatives to tar in select townships like Joza, many streets—particularly those leading to industrial zones—remain severely damaged by potholes, a longstanding issue in the area.
The SAHRC, which subpoenaed Makana municipal officials last year over similar concerns, emphasized that its role is to issue recommendations, though implementation rests with relevant government bodies. Ahead of the public release of its findings, commission representatives conducted oversight visits to affected sites alongside community organizations.
Financial governance concerns have compounded service delivery failures. Auditor General reports have repeatedly flagged irregularities in municipal spending, including underspending on critical infrastructure budgets and questions regarding the allocation of funds provided by National Treasury and the Eastern Cape provincial government for water and sanitation projects.
In November 2024, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) raided the municipality’s financial and administrative offices, focusing on procurement and expenditure related to water infrastructure upgrades. The probe is examining discrepancies involving payments to service providers for equipment—including pump components reportedly located in Benoni—while critical systems remained non-functional. Despite millions allocated to system upgrades, residents continue to contend with aging infrastructure, including asbestos pipes.
Actions have previously been taken against the municipal manager after investigators discovered that essential equipment for drain maintenance had been left idle. The SAHRC’s latest findings are expected to address whether these systemic failures constitute violations of constitutional rights to water, sanitation, and a healthy environment.
Community members across Makana Local Municipality remain hopeful that the commission’s report will catalyze tangible interventions, as daily life in Makhanda continues to be disrupted by infrastructure failures that extend from public streets into private homes.
