Alarm about alleged pollution of water source

R eaction to a previous story about perceived water pollution pertaining to the alleged spillage of raw sewage into a water source in Seshego, before connecting with the Sand River along its course to the great Limpopo, led to alarm about what is perceived as a similar situation in the Mankweng area.
As in the first instance, fingers point at Polokwane Municipality for allegedly deliberately polluting the eco system. A farmer along the Modjadjiskloof road recently alerted Polokwane Observer to a situation arising from sewage allegedly spilling into a stream passing several junctions on its course before connecting with Sand Sloot along the N1 North and the Sand River.
Upon following the water’s course that initially caught his attention for its suspicious perennial nature at a time of drought after the initial discovery two years ago, he traced the source from the R81 route between Polokwane and Modjadjiskloof back to the sewage plant outside Mankweng some 7 km away.

He elaborated by saying that the green discolouration of the slow trickling stream already pointed at a suspicious element in the water. The farmer referred to the stream joining the Sand Sloot in the vicinity of the N1 highway, to eventually join the Sand River.
He expressed concern about the prevailing situation without anything being done about the matter.
Recently accompanying Polokwane Observer to the area, the farmer pointed out the origin of the sewage spill, an outlet on the other side of the fence cordoning off the sewage plant that serves Mankweng and the University of Limpopo.
Upon further enquiry another source identified the stream as Turfloop Spruit which, according to him, has been under attack for many months.
The sewage works are situated opposite what was identified as the municipal dumping ground a few kilometres outside Mankweng. The area, frequented by feral dogs and cattle herders with livestock passing through as they graze along the water’s course, has been littered by culprits dumping their rubbish at random. A scorched earth brought forth discarded nappies, seemingly an increasing problem in the area the past three years, and other unwanted elements. Surprisingly, a bend in the road reveals an extraordinary sight; a deserted heap of paired shoes and single pieces of footwear spread out on the ground as if awaiting collection.
The first cattle herder passed below the sewage works attributed the pollution problem to a gauge being opened for the water to be released into nature, apparently a common sight occurring at regular intervals. In the vicinity of the spot identified as culprit in the alleged release of the sewage spill into the stream below Mankweng Sewage Plant, a second cattle herder said the livestock in his care had to be administered antibiotics because of the water being polluted.

Approached for comment, Polokwane Municipality Stakeholder Relations Officer Disree Manyane responded saying that in terms of an inspection conducted no raw sewage was identified “going into the river”. According to her the Mankweng plant was currently operating optimally.
She requested more information regarding the site or location for samples to be taken, for which a meeting was scheduled for today (Thursday).

Story and photos: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com

Featured photo: The spot identified as culprit in the alleged release of the sewage spill into the stream below Mankweng sewage plant.