Today the DA has filed a complaint with the Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) against Makhado Local Municipality and Vhembe District for the non-functioning of the sewage wastewater treatment plant in Malherbe Street.
It is alleged that the sewage plant has been out of operation since it was vandalised dating back to December 2021 and despite several requests, there are no plans to have it restored. (See photos here, here, here and here)
Raw sewage flows into a nearby riverbed and is further contaminating the water table which is to supply residents with water through nearby boreholes.
The National Environment Management Act requires a duty of care as well as the control of emergency measures from both Makhado Local Municipality and Vhembe District Municipality.
The Water Services Authority responsible for the collection, treatment and discharge of wastewater is required to meet certain national and provincial markers, which Vhembe District does not.
The DA has taken this action to call in the Green Scorpions on behalf of the Makhado and Tshikota residents as this negligence poses a serious health risk, and we cannot allow lives to be endangered.
The municipalities’ failure to restore the sewage treatment plant infringes on the residents’ right to a healthy and clean environment and we will further lodge a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission for the people who live among flowing sewage.