AfriForum issues ultimatum to Matlosana Municipality regarding raw sewage still flowing into the Vaal River
The Matlosana Local Municipality has until tomorrow (10 September) to submit a viable remediation plan to AfriForum’s Klerksdorp branch regarding the alleged discharge of untreated sewage from the Hartbeesfontein Wastewater Treatment Plant, and to halt – or at least limit – the pollution. A preliminary investigation by AfriForum indicates that, after approximately ten months, the plant remains non-operational and lacks any treatment capacity.
The organisation further demands that the municipality commission independent water sampling and disclose its water use authorisation and effluent test results, notify downstream communities of the pollution, and commence rehabilitation of the polluted watercourse.
Should the municipality fail to implement immediate control measures and submit a plan by the deadline, AfriForum will proceed to lodge complaints against the municipality with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Green Scorpions, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
This urgent ultimatum follows AfriForum’s recent visit to the plant. AfriForum representatives visited the facility as part of its annual water quality monitoring audit, during which the quality of drinking water and treated wastewater is tested. The plant’s malfunctioning state became evident during the visit. A municipal employee also prevented AfriForum from taking a sample of the effluent. Among other things, the employee stated that sewage pumped to the Hartbeesfontein plant is not treated and flows directly into the nearby Jagspruit.
This stream flows into the Skoonspruit approximately 30 km southwest of Hartbeesfontein before joining the Vaal River.
AfriForum’s observations align with findings made by during parliamentary oversight visit in May of this year. Delegates visited the Hartbeesfontein and Klerksdorp plants and encountered “severe infrastructure failures” that result in the discharge of untreated sewage into local river systems. The group further confirmed that the Hartbeesfontein plant has been out of operation since December of last year due to severe blockages at the inlet points, and that untreated sewage is consequently flowing into the Jagspruit and subsequently the Vaal River.
However, according to Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Mooi River, plans to curb the pollution are progressing far too slowly. “The pollution has been occurring for at least the past ten months, and parliamentary delegates visited the site four months ago. During that visit, they acknowledged that urgent intervention was required and that those responsible needed to be held accountable – yet nothing has improved, and raw sewage continues to flow unchecked into one of South Africa’s most important water systems,” Pretorius emphasises.
“According to the DWS, the Vaal River system is the most important bulk water supply system in the country, providing water to 46% of the national economy and 33% of the population. Consequently, the pollution of this critical water source has far-reaching consequences for people, animals, the environment, and the economy,” she explains.
She also points out that water pollution constitutes a violation of Section 29 of the Constitution. Furthermore, Section 19 of the National Water Act requires that reasonable measures be taken to prevent, limit, and rectify water pollution, while Section 151 of the same Act provides for criminal liability regarding unlawful actions or omissions that lead to the pollution, or probable pollution, of a water source.
SW Scott, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Klerksdorp branch, believes the municipality’s handling of the problem to date leaves much to be desired. “We are not merely dealing with another service delivery failure here; this pollution poses a serious threat to public health, the environment, and water security, and the municipality must now intervene and take responsibility for this disaster,” says Scott.
Join AfriForum’s Klerksdorp branch today. Contact SW Scott (082 806 7484) for more information.
