DA lays charges against Rustenburg Local Municipality for ignoring raw sewage at Savanna Falls

Issued by Cllr Gert du Plessis – DA Caucus Leader: Rustenburg Local Municipality
02 Sep 2020 in Press Statements

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Gert Du Plessis.

Yesterday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) laid charges against Rustenburg Local Municipality for neglecting to fix raw sewage at Savanna Falls Estates sewerage station. The sewage is being pumped into an open trench along the main road and the stormwater system. Please see the photo here.

Following several complaints from community members, the DA conducted an oversight inspection, upon investigation, the DA found that raw sewage was pumped into an open trench and running into the stormwater system and also making its way into dams that are used for irrigation and fishing by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). Please see photos here, here and here.

Please see videos here and here.

SAPS in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Affairs will investigate our complaint and after finalising the investigation the Public Prosecuting Authority will pursue criminal charges against individuals who are responsible for the raw sewage that is being pumped.

The DA has on several occasions reported this sewage disaster to Rustenburg Local Municipality and despite promises by the Director for Directorate Technical and Infrastructure, the sewage problem is overflowing and polluting the dam water and area.

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 pumping of raw sewage into an open trench, running into the stormwater system and dams and as such contaminating water resources is in contravention of Section 151(1)(I) and (j) and Section 19 of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998.

The sewage disaster is a health risk to residents and animals residing near the river, while it also causes an unbearable stench making it hard for residents to go about their daily lives.

The DA will continue to put pressure on the municipality and relevant departments to resolve the sewage disaster and to initiate the restoration process of the ARC dams before the health and well-being of residents is compromised.