Green Scorpions focuses their attention on Lydenburg

Maanda Alidzulwi and Zandile Nkosi, environmental management inspectors of the criminal investigations section of Mpumalanga Environmental Affairs (Green Scorpions), inspected several service delivery points and other places of concern last week.
They were accompanied by Spiros Couvaras, DA councillor, who pointed out additional cases and evidence of neglect around town.

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Couvaras and his colleagues – Sonja Boshoff, a DA member of parliament, and Gravette Herbst, a DA councillor – opened eight cases during at the Lydenburg SAPS this year with the evidence they collected.
One of these is that of the now infamous water treatment plant just outside Lydenburg on the R37 towards Burgersfort. It has not been fully operational for the past four years (published in Steelburger/ Lydenburg News, Thursday November 19).
Other points Alidzulwi and Nkosi inspected included the landfill site, sewage running through the old Lydenburg cemetery, sewage at Riverdale Primary School, hazardous and medical waste dumped illegally and other issues in Kellysville.
The continued mismanagement of the landfill site is a contributing factor to the escalating air pollution in Lydenburg. It emits smoke day and night, compromising the air quality.
Other common environmental violation complaints received, not just by the DA, include the illegal disposal of garbage.
It seems that residents are too lazy to drive to the landfill site so they dump rubbish illegally next to the road. These factors contribute to violations of the Waste Act in TCLM. The Waste Act comprises ensuring that the waste is treated and disposed of correctly and does not contribute to the deterioration of the environment.
The National Environmental Management Act of 1998 and related environmental legislation, such as the Waste Act and the Air Quality Act, are aimed at ensuring that the environment is protected for present and future generations.
“Environmental abuse continues to be a critical issue in this town we all love, and we will only be able to put a stop to this with action-based approaches,” said Couvaras.
As an alleged transgressor, TCLM will have to comply with directives and warnings from the Green Scorpions, should it be found guilty.