South32 responds to allegations
In a short sentence they dismissed any rumours that the mining company is pumping water out seeping through a vain from the Olifants River that runs adjacent to the mine.
The rain experienced this past week is a welcome break from the scorching heat wave eMalahleni and other parts of the country experienced.
Farmers are smiling and there is hope that crops can be saved.
However it does not fix the problem currently experienced in Witbank Dam.
The dam level is decreasing by the day.
Following an article on November 13, wherein South32 SA Coal is also blamed for the drop in dam levels, they have eventually responded.
Various residents staying on the banks of the Olifants River said the mine cracked one of the veins of the Olifants River, closest to the mine, while blasting in the past and that water from the Olifants River is flowing into the mines underground shafts.
In a short sentence they dismissed any rumours that the mining company is pumping water out seeping through a vain from the Olifants River that runs adjacent to the mine.
“The clean water system of the Witbank Dam is not linked to the water extracted from the underground workings of our mines,” is the feedback from South32 SA Coal.
They said the mining company is continuously extracting polluted water from the underground workings of its mines to enable it to mine with care and safety.
WITBANK NEWS asked to be taken to the site to see the 16 pumps spraying water and also to be taken to the underground workings to see how it operates and if water is been wasted.
The municipality has put water restrictions in place. Ga-Nala, Thubilishle, Rietspruit and farm areas with independent water supply are excluded from these restrictions.
For the rest of the municipality the following restrictions are in place. Gardens may only be watered with buckets or hand held garden hoses. No sprinklers or irrigation systems are allowed to be used.
Residents are not allowed to wash their cars with hosepipes. No swimming pools may be filled up without prior written permission.
“Residents and businesses are requested to adhere to these restrictions due to the critical water shortage at present. Please take note that residents and businesses failing to comply or adhere to this notice will receive a fine in terms of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998 plus all other costs as determined by the engineer of council or you shall be taken to court for this offence or non-compliance,” Mr Theo van Vuuren Municipal Manager warned.
He said municipal law enforcement officers will be deployed to monitor the compliance very closely.
“The Emalahleni Local Municipality appeals to all consumers to co-operate in this regard in the interest of the affected community,” Van Vuuren said.
