RAW sewage is spilling into the Dorps River in Mokopane, making the risk of a cholera outbreak a distinct possibility, and putting residents’ lives at risk.
The stream of raw sewage was discovered by the DA members during an oversight visit last Wednesday.
Limpopo DA leader, Jacques Smalle said the sewage ran through parts of the area where many residents used boreholes. He said it was clear that their water would be contaminated in no time.
According to Smalle, the DA had already taken water samples to the laboratory for testing and were expecting results before the end of the week.
“We have noted that the Mogalakwena Municipality already allocated a budget in the previous financial year to fix and expand the sewage system, but nothing has been done until now. Voortrekker Hospital has already reported that there are more than 10 cases of cholera and diarrhoea on a monthly basis,” he said.
“Depending on the outcome of the water results, the DA will consider opening a criminal case against the municipal manager, Willie Kekana, for violating the National Water Act (No 36 of 1998),” he said.
Spokesperson for the Mogalakwena Municipality, Malesela Selokela, said the raw sewage spill had been fixed and was caused by building developments taking place in the town.
He said there was a new company that has just secured a site in Mokopane, and during construction, they removed a manhole cover. Selokela said the company started to dump rubbish in the manhole, which resulted in the system becoming blocked. This caused and overflow in other areas, he said.
“The problem has been fixed. As far as we know, there is no cholera outbreak reported.
“The municipality is supplying water through water tankers in the villages where there is a water shortage,” said Selokela.
