Musina Local Municipality, South Africa's northernmost municipality and a key border town with Zimbabwe, has experienced comprehensive infrastructure failure. Raw sewage flows from the municipality's collapsed wastewater treatment works directly into the Limpopo River — the same water that downstream communities depend on for drinking, agriculture, and livestock.
The scale of infrastructure decay extends far beyond water and sanitation. An estimated 80% of the municipality's roads require a complete overhaul. The road network has deteriorated to the point where some areas are effectively inaccessible during the rainy season, cutting off communities from schools, clinics, and markets.
As a border town, Musina plays a critical role in South Africa's trade and migration infrastructure. The municipality's collapse affects not only residents but the broader regional economy. Yet despite its strategic importance, no meaningful intervention has been undertaken. The municipality continues to receive national allocations that fail to translate into functional services.