As an ActionSA Cllr, I have opened a criminal case against the eThekwini Municipality, case number 173/10/2025, following yet another incident of illegal dumping of highly toxic sewage sludge in Mt Moreland, this time carried out by contractors operating under the municipality’s authority.
This marks the second such occurrence this year, highlighting the City’s ongoing failure to uphold environmental and public health standards.
The sludge is far more dangerous than raw sewage. It contains heavy metals, industrial chemicals, microplastics, pathogens, and parasites. When dumped illegally, it contaminates soil and groundwater, posing serious long-term health risks to residents, livestock, and wildlife.
Earlier this year, a municipal vehicle was caught dumping sludge on the same road. The City of eThekwini investigated itself and concluded there was no wrongdoing. However, this new incident – captured on video and corroborated by witnesses – shows that the practice has continued, with private contractors now used to carry out the same unlawful activity under municipal oversight.
We believe that eThekwini Municipality and Umgeni Water have a legal duty of care to ensure sludge is transported in sealed vehicles and must be handled by trained personnel with proper protective equipment, and disposed of only at licensed facilities. This duty has been grossly neglected.
Communities deserve clean water, safe soil, and transparent governance, not toxic dumping and institutional cover-ups. We remain resolute that eThekwini cannot be allowed to become a dumping ground for hazardous waste.
In addition to the criminal case lodged with SAPS, the matter will also be referred to the Green Scorpions for urgent investigation. ActionSA demands full accountability, transparency, and an immediate end to these unlawful and dangerous practices.
ActionSA Opens Criminal Case Against eThekwini Municipality Over Illegal Sewage Sludge Dumping in Mt Moreland
As an ActionSA Cllr, I have opened a criminal case against the eThekwini Municipality, case number 173/10/2025, following yet another incident of illegal dumping of highly toxic sewage sludge in Mt Moreland, this time carried out by contractors operating under the municipality’s authority.
This marks the second such occurrence this year, highlighting the City’s ongoing failure to uphold environmental and public health standards.
The sludge is far more dangerous than raw sewage. It contains heavy metals, industrial chemicals, microplastics, pathogens, and parasites. When dumped illegally, it contaminates soil and groundwater, posing serious long-term health risks to residents, livestock, and wildlife.
Earlier this year, a municipal vehicle was caught dumping sludge on the same road. The City of eThekwini investigated itself and concluded there was no wrongdoing. However, this new incident – captured on video and corroborated by witnesses – shows that the practice has continued, with private contractors now used to carry out the same unlawful activity under municipal oversight.
We believe that eThekwini Municipality and Umgeni Water have a legal duty of care to ensure sludge is transported in sealed vehicles and must be handled by trained personnel with proper protective equipment, and disposed of only at licensed facilities. This duty has been grossly neglected.
Communities deserve clean water, safe soil, and transparent governance, not toxic dumping and institutional cover-ups. We remain resolute that eThekwini cannot be allowed to become a dumping ground for hazardous waste.
In addition to the criminal case lodged with SAPS, the matter will also be referred to the Green Scorpions for urgent investigation. ActionSA demands full accountability, transparency, and an immediate end to these unlawful and dangerous practices.