LISTEN: The Department of Water and Sanitation is appealing to all communities across the country to help protect South Africa’s water resources. 

The call comes amid growing concerns about the pollution of rivers and dams, particularly by residents living near these water sources who continue to dump various types of waste directly into them.

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, recently led a clean-up campaign at the Toloane River in Slovo Park near Winterveldt. The initiative aimed to highlight the critical need for cleaner water environments.

A major concern at the Toloane River, located north-west of Pretoria, is its contamination with human waste and other pollutants. This is largely due to broken sewer infrastructure and illegal dumping activities, which pose serious environmental and health risks.

Speaking to POWERNews, Seitloholo said the department is urging citizens to refrain from polluting water sources and to report any illegal dumping or sewage leakages to the relevant authorities.