The legacy of mismanagement by the ousted Mayor of the Mangaung Metro Municipality, Olly Mlamleli, is evident in the sewage pollution of water sources which poses extensive health and environmental risks.
Numerous complaints about sewage pollution in the Dan Pienaar residential area in Bloemfontein have been lodged with the Metro, but still there is no sign of maintenance nor relief. Raw sewage flows from this residential area down storm water channels to a tributary that flows through the Tempe golf course and ultimately ends up in the Bloemspruit.
The sewage pollution in Mangaung has become so severe that the Department of Health has threatened to close the Tempe golf course because of the serious health risks that the pollution poses to players. The Municipality’s failure to properly maintain its main sewage line at the Tempe golf course also contributes to the runoff of sewage into the same tributary.
Once again, the Municipality demonstrates its misguided priorities in threatening to close the golf course instead of solving the root of the problem and addressing the high risk to the Dan Pienaar residential area.
Thousands of litres of sewage end up in storm water channels as well as the Bloemspruit and then flow to the Modder River, which feeds the Krugersdrift Dam via the Renosterspruit. Many farmers and the residents of Soutpan are dependent on water from the Krugersdrift Dam for agricultural and domestic purposes.
So, Mlamleli’s mismanagement did not only bring about deterioration in the Metro, but also health risks for the residents and environment.
The ANC now has the opportunity to elect a new mayor after Mlamleli was removed by the FF Plus’s motion of no confidence. Simply re-electing her would be unacceptable. The ANC clearly has no regard for the environment or residents’ health and well being.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Adriaan de Bruyn on FF Plus
South Africa Today – South Africa News
Pending crisis: Raw sewage flows into water systems throughout the Free State
