North West municipal manager charged with unlawful waste disposal
A senior municipal official is due to again appear in court in January to face charges of unlawful waste disposal that allegedly led to significant environmental pollution.
The North West’s JB Marks Local Municipality’s manager, William Kgomotso Kumbe, is facing serious charges regarding the unlawful disposal of waste.
He appeared in the District Court of North West in Potchefstroom yesterday, when the case was postponed to January 30. The case will be transferred to the regional court.
The charges stem from allegations that between September 2019 and April 2020, Kumbe permitted the improper disposal of waste near Samuel Avenue in Promosa, a residential area of Potchefstroom.
Reports indicate that sewage waste was dumped into the environment and directly into Poortjiesdam, potentially leading to significant environmental pollution.
Senior State Advocate Benny Kalakgosi outlined in court that these actions violate Section 24 of the South African Constitution, which guarantees the right to a healthy environment. He stressed that Kumbe’s negligence in preventing pollution has had a detrimental impact on the local community.
The National Prosecuting Authority affirmed its commitment to holding municipalities accountable for environmental offences, emphasising the importance of preserving human rights relating to a clean and safe environment.
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