Alleged chemical dumping pollutes river at Mandeni, killing hundreds of fish

Hundreds of fish were killed by what a Mandeni resident believes has been the repeated illegal dumping of chemicals into local rivers.

Fish were filmed floating belly-up in two Tugela River tributaries in December where locals frequently enjoy recreational activities such as swimming and fishing.

Resident Belinda Crawford said large amounts of chemicals were being dumped into the rivers and that it had been an ongoing problem.

While residents have yet to identify the source, she said the locally named Black Liquor Creek had turned pink at one stage.

“The number of dead fish in the rivers in December were uncountable and the smell unbearable. Our ecosystems are being destroyed,” said Crawford.

The rivers have since seemingly recovered, but residents are concerned about more pollution spills.

Crawford also expressed concern about possible chemical contamination of local community members who rely on fishing from the rivers to feed their families.

Sappi Tugela Mill, situated along the upper parts of Black Liquor Creek, frequently conducts water sampling tests of the Tugela River.

Sappi Southern Africa communications lead, Zelda Schwalbach, said they were made aware of the dead fish on December 1, prompting an investigation which uncovered that a spill had occurred further up-river from their operation.

The matter was escalated for investigation to the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and to the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Minutes of a meeting conducted by the Mandeni-based environmental forum, Simunye, recorded that no local industry had a direct outflow pipe into the river but that there was some pollution coming from the Isithebe area further above the Sudumbili Waste Water Treatment Works.

The minutes from the meeting on December 6 were provided to the Courier by Sappi and further stated that it was assumed that someone had discharged chemicals directly into the river.

EDTEA issued a directive to the local municipality to see to the cleaning of the river.

*This story has been updated from the print version to include a post-print comment received from Sappi.

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