The DA has written to the MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Tshitereke Matibe, calling for an urgent investigation into reports of elevated concentrations of arsenic and manganese in groundwater in the Nzhelele region, Makhado–Musina, Limpopo.
These concentrations were detected in water samples taken from boreholes east of the N1, near the townships of Fripp and Mudimeli in the Makhado Municipality. The samples were collected by a recognised environmental consultancy, acting as an external auditor, on behalf of a landowner who is obliged under its water use licence to conduct regular water quality assessments at designated boreholes on the property.
The consultancy found a significant decline in groundwater quality over the past 12 months. The concentrations of arsenic were so high that they pose a serious health risk to community members who rely on this water for daily consumption, as well as to the farming community and other users.
According to the firm, the only significant change in the surrounding environment that coincided with the deterioration of groundwater quality was the commencement of coal mining activities at the Makhado Colliery, owned by MC Mining, towards the end of 2024.
This matter goes to the core of section 24 of our Bill of Rights and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) . Government has an obligation to ensure that everyone has the right to 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 (such as NEMA) and other measures that:
- prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
- promote conservation; and
- secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
This matter cannot be ignored. LEDET is obliged to act. Urgent investigation and intervention are required to protect lives, livelihoods, and the environment