Video: Residents urged to be extra cautious amid severe weather conditions

In the wake of heavy rain in Merafong on Friday, 30 December, slime from a mine tailing dam flowed into Wonderfonteinspruit and Potchefstroom Dam, Eric Stoch, the Chairman of NWUFPA (North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association), fears that thousands may be at risk.

According to Stoch, thousands of people are at risk in Khutsong, yet there is no sense of urgency to mitigate the situation, nor to even attempt an urgent intervention to try and prevent an even greater disaster from occurring.  “Prof Ron Cohen (USA), an Internationally accredited multi-award winning scientist and expert in the field, is also part of our team of scientific advisers and is willing to assist in resolving this crisis,” he said. 

Stoch says that for JB Marks residents, the water quality for irrigation will begin to deteriorate, but residents have nothing to fear since good systems are in place to clean out bacteria. In spite of this, residents should exercise caution. 

Video supplied by Eric Stoch

“ On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I wish to extend an offer of mutual cooperation and assistance to the Gauteng Government and National COGTA , to prevent the loss of life, livelihoods and food security in Gauteng and the North West Province,” Stoch said. 

“We have the passion, skill and institutional support to be able to make a serious impact in the current state of affairs,” he added. 

According to Stoch, there are six major issues currently affecting not only Merafong, but the greater sub-region in the catchment area of the Wonderfonteinspruit and the Mooi River: 

Raw sewage flowing unabated into the catchment                   –

• This affects the drinking water of Merafong, JB Marks, Matlosana and the Lower Vaal Catchment
• None of the water care works of Meafong are functioning
•  This affects agriculture from Mogale City to Vaalharts

Sinkholes

• Sinkholes in Welverdiend, Khutsong, Blyvooruitsig, Bank, Carletonville and Wedela

 Roads affected  

•   N14, R501, R28 and numerous internal municipal roads.
•   R500 Bridge and road
•   Khutsong access road and bridge
•   Welverdiend / Klerkskraal road and bridge
•   Welverdiend / Lichtenburg rilwayline

The aqueduct transporting sewage to the Khutsong Water Care Works

Non-compliance of the Far West Rand Dolomitic Water Association

• Sinkholes in Carletonville
• Not levelling on a regular basis
• No maintenance of the stormwater system in the dewatered compartments
• No repairs to sinkholes in the dewatered compartments

Mining tailings and mine related pollution flowing unabated into the catchment

• This affects the drinking water of Merafong, JB Marks, Matlosana and the Lower Vaal Catchment
• All water care works of Meafong are not functioning
•  This affects agriculture from Mogale City to Vaalharts

“I am firmly convinced that NDMC, PDMC, COGTA at Provincial Level and at National Level are being misinformed.  My colleagues and I are even prepared to go so far as to state on record that we are of the opinion that this is a deliberate campaign to block the declaration of a State of Disaster for the affected areas.  We are prepared to answer any questions in this regard, should the opportunity arise,” Stoch concluded. 

Stoch also assures community members that they will be available to assist where possible, should their support be required.