GOOD Statement by Marius van Stade,
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
04 September 2025
GOOD Urges Stellenbosch Municipality to Act on Devon Valley Sanitation Crisis
The GOOD Party Caucus in Stellenbosch has submitted an urgent appeal to the Municipality to address the appalling sanitation and unhygienic conditions in the Devon Valley Emergency Camp, an informal settlement under municipal jurisdiction.
This follows formal communication from Mr. Arno Visagie, a resident of the camp, who was admitted to Tygerberg Hospital on 13 May 2025 for an emergency operation related to gastroenteritis. Mr. Visagie attributes his illness to contaminated drinking water and unsanitary conditions that have been repeatedly reported to the Municipality, without meaningful intervention. Other residents have also been hospitalised at Stellenbosch Provincial Hospital with related gastrointestinal illnesses.
On 16 February 2025, GOOD received direct complaints from residents regarding unsafe living conditions. An oversight visit followed on 19 February, and a formal complaint was submitted and logged under Reference Nr. SVSLE8025021627. Yet, no immediate response was provided, and conditions have since worsened.
The persistent lack of sanitation poses a serious public health risk and violates residents’ constitutional right to a safe and healthy environment, as guaranteed by Section 24 of the Constitution.
GOOD has submitted official inquiries to Municipal Manager Ms. Geraldine Mettler and Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Rozette du Toit, calling for immediate remedial action.
The GOOD Party remains committed to constructive engagement, community advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving. We call on the Municipality to treat this matter with the urgency it demands, and to uphold its constitutional and ethical obligations to the residents of Devon Valley.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za