The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) yesterday (30 July) lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) against the Dipaleseng Local Municipality (Balfour, Greylingstad, Grootvlei) for ongoing sewage pollution.
The party demands that decisive action be taken to address the pollution of wetlands in the area.
The HRC needs to step in and act as an independent oversight body seeing as Dipaleseng cannot be trusted to manage the sewage crisis on its own.
On 15 November 2024, the Balfour Magistrate’s Court imposed a R200 million fine on Dipaleseng for violating the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the National Water Act.
The Municipality was found guilty of dumping untreated sewage containing hazardous levels of, among others, E. coli between December 2018 and August 2023.
At the time, R40 million of the fine was suspended for five years, provided no further violations of NEMA, the Water Act or other pollution-related offences occur.
The National Department of Water and Sanitation is responsible for collecting the fine and must, in consultation with the Municipality, implement a plan to ensure that sewage treatment facilities are operational.
The Municipality has been aware of the sewage treatment plants’ operational issues for years, yet ANC-controlled councils have deliberately ignored them.
The crisis in Balfour North, where sewage is spilling into wetlands, is linked to the replacement of the outdated asbestos pipe system.
According to the Mayor, Ms Busi Khanye, the Municipality lacks the financial capacity to replace the infrastructure. Funding needs to be “obtained from outside”, which is a time-consuming process.
In the meantime, the Freedom Front Plus called on the Municipal Manager, Mr Lwazi Cindi, and the Mayor, Ms Khanye, to immediately raise the issue with the Department.
A transparent action plan, with clear timelines and measurable outcomes, to restore the failing sewage infrastructure must be developed.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep the pressure on until there is positive change.
Freedom Front Plus Historical Commemoration: The party supports the commemoration of significant Afrikaner historical events.
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