Raw sewage flows into Morgenstond Dam
In the neglected town of Morgenzon, raw sewage flows into the local golf course and the main water source, Morgenstond Dam, leaving residents with unsafe water and unreliable services, while the municipality fails to take action.
The quiet town of Morgenzon falls under the jurisdiction of Lekwa, however, it seems to be neglected by the municipality.
The Standerton Advertiser went on a fact-finding mission in the town along with Corné van Dijk, a local businessman in Morgenzon.
During our visit, Van Dijk pointed out several sewage leaks onto the Morgenzon golf course that flow directly into Osspruit.
Osspruit then carries the raw sewage directly to Morgenstond Dam, the main water source of the town.
According to Thomas Tshabalala, caretaker of the golf course, they have reported these leaks several times over the past years and the Lekwa Municipality has made efforts to investigate the leak, but has not resolved the issue.
“The leak might stop for three months at a time and then it resumes again,” explained Tshabalala.
The golf course has resorted to digging a ditch to keep the raw sewage off the course, however, there is no other outlet for the sewage than the Osspruit.
According to Hennie Bekker, district coordinator of AfriForum, it is common for residents of Morgenzon to receive foul water.
He explained that the Lekwa Local Municipality announced that the water is unsafe to drink earlier this year. He confirmed that sewage ends up in the dam that supplies water to the town.
“When the sewage concentration gets too high in the dam, the water treatment plant can no longer function as it should, causing residents to receive water that is unsafe to drink,” explained Bekker.
Residents have complained that the water pressure in Morgenzon is shoddy at best, with several parts of the township experiencing water shortages on a regular basis.
Van Dijk explained that water in the town area is often dirty and can not be used for cooking, washing or drinking under any circumstances, even when boiled.
The Advertiser asked the Lekwa Municipality for comment, but no response was provided at the time of going to print.
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