SEBOKENG.-Recently, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released its final report regarding the inquiry into the sewage problem of the Vaal River.

According to the report, the National Treasury advised that about 19 million people depend on the Vaal for water, for the uses of drinking as well as domestic and commercial use.

The inquiry found that the Vaal is now polluted beyond acceptable standards, and that the cause is the kilolitres of untreated sewage entering the Vaal because of inoperative and dilapidated wastewater treatment plants which have been unable to properly process the sewage and other wastewater produced in Emfuleni.

The same applies to wastewater from the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality as well as the Midvaal Local Municipality (MLM), that is also directed towards the wastewater sewerage systems situated in the ELM.

As a result, Mabuza last week undertook an oversight visit with Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Fikile Majola along with other local government officials led by ELM Mayor, Gift Moerane.

Mabuza’s visit was meant to monitor the progress made at the Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Mabuza said he was happy about the progress that was made since his visit last time.

“The last time, this Module 6 was still under construction, I’m happy that it is now working meaning that Emfuleni now has enough capacity to deal with sewer.”

Mabuza said the only thing that was left was to unblock pipes causing sewer to spill all over human settlements so that it goes straight to the treatment plant.

Mabuza added that clean water was now flowing into the Rietspruit Dam which feeds the Vaal Riv