Illegal dumping, litter and sewage chokes Ncandu River
The deplorable state of the Amcor Dam/Ncandu River has once again raised a storm of concern and disgust among residents and business.
Another industrial businessman, who wished to remain anonymous, also expressed frustration:
“I have a business that is just behind the Amcor Dam, and the smell around the dam and river is absolutely impossible! It’s very difficult to actually do business.
“Between illegal dumping of household refuse, dead animal carcasses, building rubble, and whatever else people feel like discarding, the area around the Amcor Dam has become one big stink hole.
“Not only is it affecting our businesses here, but I am sure it’s affecting those people residing around the dam and river as well as any livestock that drink that water – not to even mention the poor fish that actually live in the water. Why is upkeep of the dam and cleaning not a priority for the municipality, or does the wellness of the residents just not matter anymore? This is just not acceptable!”
Despite repeated requests for official comment since November 2024, the Newcastle Advertiser has yet to receive any response from the municipality regarding the state of the Amcor Dam.
NRF raises red flag over Amcor Dam/Ncandu River:
The Newcastle Residents Forum has once again brought the issue of the prevailing environmental crisis at the Amcor Dam and Ncandu River to the fore, its chairman, Matthew Shunmugam, expressing serious concern over the authorities’ inaction.
Shunmugam said these urgent issues were formally raised by the NRF in their response to the KwaZulu-Natal Human Rights Commission, following the response from the Newcastle Municipal Manager to the Commission on their initial complaint.
The NRF emphasized in its response that the dire impact of the pollution on business, residents, and the environment called for urgent action to return the area to a safe, sustainable state.
He lamented that, despite continuous appeals, both the KZN Department of Environmental Affairs and the National Department of Water and Sanitation have failed to take decisive action, leaving the community to suffer the consequences.
“It is our understanding that a non-compliance and contravention notice should have been served on the Newcastle Municipality long ago,” said Shunmugam.
He said an on-site inspection was done two years ago at Patterson/Lyell Street in the presence of the media and officials from the local KZN Department of Environmental Affairs.
The probe revealed worst sewage problems, putting residents under unhygienic and inhumane living conditions. But nothing much happened thereafter.
With their fresh submission to the Human Rights Commission, the NRF is hoping something tangible will finally happen to get the situation rectified.
In the meantime frustration within the community is growing too, after a major private sector initiative which was making real inroads into rehabilitating Amcor Dam and its weir, subsequently withdrew.
According to Shunmugam, a group from the business community, led by Craig Peterson, had been investing much time and money, and other resources into the rehabilitation of the Amcor Dam and weir.
Notwithstanding such sterling work, the lack of cooperation by the Newcastle Municipality made Peterson walk away from the project.
A video clip which Peterson recently released shows his reasons for having to walk away.
The risks associated with the current state of the dam and river cannot be overstated, Warns Shunmugam, in the absence of proper dredging, heavy siltation in the Amcor Dam and its weir would drastically reduce their holding capacity and increase the threat of flooding in Newcastle’s low-lying CBD and a portion of residential areas.
Since this sought immediate relief, accountability and action have been pressed by the NRF upon the relevant authorities.
“The community deserves better,” emphasized Shunmugam. “We can’t allow inaction to result in environmental and humanitarian crises. The NRF calls upon stakeholders, government, and the Municipality to pay attention to this very important issue before further damage is done,” he concluded.
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