AfriForum, a South African civil rights organization, announced it will soon release findings from independent water quality tests in Stellenbosch after experiencing resistance from the town’s municipality.
The tests, commissioned from an accredited lab, are investigating allegations of untreated sewage being discharged into the Veldwagters and Eerste Rivers.
AfriForum filed a formal request for information on water quality and sewage management in October 2023 under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) after complaints from locals. However, the municipality cited confidentiality to withhold information, despite an earlier statement declaring Stellenbosch’s drinking water safe.
AfriForum subsequently conducted its own tests, revealing high levels of sewage pollution, and has instructed legal action against the municipality for lack of transparency.
Jacques Benade, AfriForum’s Boland district coordinator, criticized the municipality’s stance, emphasizing that maintaining water quality is essential for residents’ health and the region’s economy, which relies on agriculture and tourism.
