On Friday (May 30), AfriForum Vryheid filed criminal charges against municipal manager Sbonga Dlamini, as well as the municipality’s technical manager. These charges stem from the persistent sewage flowing freely in Besterspruit for several years, highlighting the municipality’s failure to address AfriForum’s requests for action. The charges were lodged at Vryheid police station.
Furthermore, the situation with regards to settlements is alarming, with sewage flowing freely in one of the streets while small children play in it. This poses significant health risks to the community.
AfriForum chairperson André van der Walt has expressed frustration, saying that they sent numerous letters to the municipality and the Vryheid Herald published numerous articles about the sewage spills, but their pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Van der Walt also highlighted that Besterspruit flows into Klipfontein Dam, which serves as their primary water source.
Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum’s provincial co-ordinator for KZN, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that they cannot stand by and watch as South Africa’s water resources are polluted. Van Aswegen further underscored AfriForum’s belief that the solution lies in self-governance, as they witness daily the neglect of municipal infrastructure.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.