DA wants the Green Scorpions to investigate sewer spillages
“It is unacceptable that sewer problems in the municipality are in contravention of the environmental laws.”
The DA wants the Green Scorpions to inspect and investigate the cause of sewer spillages in the Govan Mbeki Municipality areas.
According to the DA councillor, James Masango, the municipality caused some spills, because it failed to open blocked sewer lines and the sewer holes that lay open, discharging sewer into some trenches and rivers.
Masango said sewage flowed directly to the play park at eMbalenhle Ext 18. It also affects a nearby brick manufacturing company.
“During an oversight visit to eMbalenhle, we also discovered a huge sewage river in Mandela Section flowing through a big trench that leads to the river.
Residents in this area have been subjected to inhuman living conditions with the continuous sewer spillages,” said Masango.
He said these spillages, exacerbated by non-operational sewer pump stations, impacted the water system.
He said this situation was an infringement on the community’s right to clean water because they cannot consume tap water.
“The community is at risk of contracting diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery. It is unacceptable that sewer problems in the municipality are in contravention of the environmental laws,” said Masango.
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The Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI), popularly known as the Green Scorpions, and local environmental organisations took the municipality to court for water contamination in May this year.
In response to Ridge Times’ questions sent to the municipality, the municipality spokesperson, Donald Green, said GMM has been attending to the sewage issues and spillages across its jurisdiction.
According to the Green Scorpions, they investigated the sewage spills and general waste problems around the municipality.
They claimed to have evidence of water pollution by the municipality to present a strong case. The case continues at the Bethal Magistrate’s Court.
