AfriForum spokesperson detained in Scottburgh
When asked why he thought he was detained, Fourie said he believed he had asked questions about the plant previously and that the Municipality wanted to keep the spillage out of the public eye.
CHRIS Fourie, the Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in KwaZulu-Natal, who recently visited Vryheid, was detained for trespassing at the Ugu District Municipality in Scottburgh.
According to a report from AfriForum, Fourie was detained during his visit to the sewage treatment works. Various members of the community reported the conditions at the works to AfriForum and alleged that raw sewage was being spilled into the ocean.
Fourie voiced his concerns about the sewer plant in an audit conducted in July 2014, and as the Municipality did not respond, he decided to visit the site again.
“I stopped at the entrance of the plant, the access gate was open and the security official was visible inside his booth. I entered the plant after the security official failed to come out. He however approached me later while I was taking photos of the plant, and requested me to complete the visitor’s register. At no stage did the security official inform me that I was trespassing and that I had to leave the premises,” Fourie explained.
When asked why he thought he was detained, Fourie said he believed he had asked questions about the plant previously and that the Municipality wanted to keep the spillage out of the public eye.
Fourie, who was released with a warning, appeared in court this morning, Wednesday, February 11, on charges of trespassing and crimen injuria. His case was, however, postponed until March 3.
