SASOLBURG – It was once a booming, small industrial town in the north of the Free State Province, boasting numerous tourism attractions with a thriving river economy.
Now Sasolburg, once part of the economically vibrant Vaal Triangle – including Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark – seems to be sliding deeper into degradation and dilapidation.
In the past, the first sight visitors saw upon entering this industrial settlement revealed a charming fountain on the traffic circle towards its civic centre.
Today, visitors and residents entering Sasolburg are met with a discouraging scene of a small pond choked with green algae-infested water – a sign of the town’s gradual descent into neglect.
A recent tour by Ster South painted a bleak picture of Sasolburg’s current state, showcasing the undeniable breakdown in service delivery and economic decline.
The town’s infrastructure now serves as an emotional testament to the heartache faced by its residents.
Renowned for its green belt, Sasolburg now features paved passages flawed by neglect.
What was once shaped plantations have become havens for criminal activity, concealed by overgrown grass and other vegetation.
The absence of functioning street lights compounds the issue, with beautifully lined lamp posts now broken, plunging neighbourhoods into darkness.
Driving through Sasolburg has become a challenge as arterial and smaller roads resemble obstacle courses riddled with potholes.
Municipal neglect extends to basic services, with garbage littering the streets as three out of four compactor trucks lie broken down, according to the municipality.
The strong smell of sewage is an unwelcome companion in certain wards, posing a severe health threat to residents who now contend with escalating sewage spillage.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Ward Councillor, Louis Van Heerden bemoaned the current state of the once beautiful town, laying the blame squarely on the door of the various administrations which have led the Metsimaholo Local Municipality over the past few years.
“A severe health threat stemming from the escalating sewage spillage in Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Ward 15, is cause for grave concern.
“Since the initial complaints lodged with the Technical Department’s Management on 21 September 2023, and with no remedial action from the municipality, the sewage leak has transformed the Green Belt area behind Holten Street into an appalling marsh of hazardous sewerage,” he said.
“The residents residing near the Green Belt bear the brunt of this perilous situation, along with the hundreds of people utilising the pathways in the area.
“We commit to applying pressure on the Technical Department Management to promptly address the sewerage blockage and rectify the affected areas. Simultaneously, we have initiated discussions with Executive Mayor Jack Malindi of the AIC and acting Municipal Manager Basi Motloung, demanding immediate action to resolve this pressing issue,” he said.
Nomthandazo Khoza (44) a resident said “It’s sad to watch this town degrading each day. When I first arrived here, the town was my pride. Now I have to watch my kids being raised in a serviceless town,” she said.
