TZANEEN: Illegal squatters contribute to river pollution
The creek which flows into the Letaba river, was found to be extremely polluted, palpably as a result of the dwellers living in the shacks.
Democratic Alliance MP’s visited Tzaneen to assess the conditions at the Letaba river below the the taxi rank in Agatha Street.
On Thursday, September 20, Desiree van der Walt, DA MP and Leon Basson, Shadow Minister of Water and Sanitation from the Democratic Alliance, visited the banks of the Letaba river, on the outskirts of Tzaneen.
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The purpose of the visit was to assess the state of pollution of the river as well as creeks circumjacent to town. An informal settlement consisting of four shacks has been established just north of Agatha Street, adjacent to a creek, close to the river bank.
The creek which flows into the Letaba river, was found to be extremely polluted, palpably as a result of the dwellers living in the shacks.
A large number of bricks, which apparently are to be used for building a restaurant, was also found.
According to unconfirmed information, an ex-councillor is behind the project for which no permission has been granted by the authorities.
“As this is a protected area, a clean up operation will be initiated soon,” said Van Der Walt.
