SEDIBENG. – A broken water treatment works in Devon has caused severe pollution, killing fish and making livestock ill.

Mari Boshoff, a Freedom Front Plus (FF+) councillor in the Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM), said the wastewater plant has not worked for years because of poor management and failing infrastructure.

Boshoff explained that raw sewage is pouring directly into local rivers and farm dams.

“On Saturday, the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) visited a farmer whose land borders on both the water treatment works and the Wilger River. He has been forced to move his livestock to other parts of the farm to prevent them from contracting more illnesses,” Boshoff said.

The polluted water also threatens nearby communities.

Boschoff said that an informal settlement is close to one of the farmer’s contaminated dams, where people regularly catch fish and, despite warnings, some residents rinse the fish with soapy water and sell them.

The Freedom Front Plus has contacted Star Mamobela, the Acting Head of the Department of Infrastructure, who plans to visit the farm this week. The party promised to monitor the situation closely and keep pressing the municipality until the plant is fixed or replaced.

Sedibeng Ster has asked the municipality for comment and is awaiting a reply.