Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite from Councillor Glenville Fransman.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the JB Marks Local Municipality laid criminal charges against the Municipal Manager, Lebu Ralekgetho, for neglecting his duties to prevent the continued raw sewage pollution at the Poortjie Dam in Promosa, Potchefstroom.
Raw sewage has been flowing into the dam since 2017. Both the DA and local residents have reported this to the municipality, but our requests for the necessary interventions were ignored. See video here and here.
See photos here, here, here and here.
During our engagements with municipal officials to intervene, we were informed that the continued sewage pollution is nothing to worry about and that it is not a big problem.
The lack of urgency from the municipality to deal with this problem shows that they are not concerned with the well-being and health of residents and the environment.
The site near the dam was meant to be a recreational area for residents to enjoy, however, due to the lack of maintenance the grass is overgrown , the dam is polluted and the stench is unbearable.
The DA again engaged with residents living near the dam yesterday about the pollution and we were informed that many suffer from respiratory conditions and that the stench coming from the dam is unbearable.
The DA has opened a criminal case against the Municipal Manager, requesting SAPS to investigate the charges under the Water Services Act.
The municipality is in violation of the Constitution, specifically section 24 and 27 which stipulate that everyone has the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative measures that must prevent pollution and ecological degradation, to promote conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.
The DA has also referred the issue to the Green Scorpions requesting them to intervene at the Poortjie Dam to put a stop to the pollution and reverse the damage already caused.
The DA will continue to fight for the people of JB Marks.