Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Arista Goosen
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Acting Municipal Manager of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM), Dr Auchalie Mothupi, to request his urgent intervention into the sewage water that flows through Danville extension into the Molopo River. (see video and pictures here and here)
During an oversight inspection in the area yesterday, residents informed us of the stench they are forced to endure due to the stream of sewage continuously flowing past their houses. When it rains, the streets and properties overflow with sewage, making the streets impassable (see video supplied by resident). It is alleged that this has been ongoing for more than a decade.
It is further alleged that this issue has been brought to the attention of the ward councillor and the Mahikeng Local Municipality on several occasions, but to no avail.
Long term inhalation of effluent gas can lead to respiratory irritants such as asthma and bronchitis, not to mention the impact on the water resources of the whole Mahikeng area.
The DA is of the view that this issue could have been prevented had the Mahikeng Wastewater Treatment Plant, situated nearby, been fully operational and properly maintained.
During the last financial year, the NMMDM promised that both the Mmabatho and Mahikeng wastewater treatment plants will be refurbished. If the work has been completed, the municipality will have to explain why raw sewage is still plaguing residents.
It is high time that the municipality take their constitutional obligation towards residents seriously and take the necessary action to resolve ongoing sewage spillage.