The Hazyview branch of the FF Plus has decided to lodge a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) against the Mbombela Local Municipality for pumping sewage into a tributary of the Sabie River.
This tributary flows through an internationally renowned tourist destination as well as a golf course. There exists video footage showing the Municipality recklessly pumping sewage into natural resources for the second time in just five days.
There is a constant stream of sewage flowing into this tributary and as a result, boreholes on nearby farms, which provide water for domestic use, are being contaminated. One farmer whose borehole-water was contaminated in this way was forced to have tests done after his children became ill for no apparent reason. The test results confirmed that the borehole-water, which was once clean and safe, is no longer suitable for human consumption.
On 29 August 2020, a complaint about the large quantities of sewage being dumped in the river was lodged with a senior manager at the Mbombela Municipality, but the complaint was simply ignored.
The FF Plus has video footage in its possession showing employees once again pumping sewage into the tributary earlier today. This is extremely irresponsible and the sheer lack of respect for the environment is unacceptable.
The FF Plus views this matter as absolutely urgent and will do everything in its power to bring the guilty parties to account – even if it means lodging criminal complaints against senior officials whose responsibility it is to ensure that the National Water Act is complied with.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on FF Plus
South Africa Today – South Africa News
