GMM gets more flack for pollution of water sources
Only eight months left for the municipality to comply with the court’s order to solve pollution and infrastructure failures.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) has eight months left to comply with a Bethal Regional Court order imposing a R200m fine for environmental violations.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that GMM was found guilty on six counts for offences committed between November 2019 and September 2020, including contravening the National Environmental Management Act (2002), the National Water Act (1998), polluting water resources, unauthorised water disposal and failing to comply with compliance notices.
Of the R200m fine, R50m was suspended for five years on condition that no similar offence is committed. The remaining R150m must be used to address pollution and infrastructure failures by December 2026.
The court order covers sewage and effluent management in eMzinoni, eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant, Trichardt Spruit, Wela Mlambo, Leandra N17 Pump Station, Waterval Hoek River, and the Blesbok and Groot spruits. GMM must also repair identified equipment by December 2026 and install weighbridges at landfill sites.
Environmental group M&S Environmental Projects disputes the municipality’s claim that implementation has begun. Member Fano Sibanyoni said sewer spillages into stormwater drains and rivers in eMbalenhle remain unchanged, and questioned the appointment of law enforcers rather than environmental inspectors.
The case was brought by the Environmental Management Inspectorate, local environmental organisations and the Human Rights Commission over water contamination and infrastructure failures.
GMM maintains that six sewer pump stations were repaired in December 2024, the eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant is partially operational, and upgrades funded through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant are in the design stage. The municipality also says environmental monitoring continues and fines are being issued for non-compliance.
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