Klerksdorp Record, Stilfontein - The smell of raw sewerage all over town is not only nauseating but the impact the overflowing sewer drains have on the environment and on residents’ health needs to be addressed.
Sewerage problems in Stilfontein are nothing new, but what irks residents most is that nothing seems to be done about it. In Umgeni Street, people are fuming about a gaping trench in the street that was dug to replace a sewer pipe after it collapsed. Resident Barbara Botha is very vocal about the situation after the construction company stopped their work at the site because Matlosana’s Municipal Manager did not sign off on the order. “I cannot blame them for stopping the work, because they need to get paid. I just do not understand why the MM cannot give the go-ahead for the work. In the meantime, all the sewerage gets pumped in storm water drains that ends up in the river.’’
Freedom Front Plus Councillor Pieter du Preez agrees that it is an environmental disaster. “The MM only needs to sign the order so the pipe can be replaced. This is a problem that’s been going on since Easter Weekend, a month has passed already and it is still not prepared.’’
The DA’s Cllr Portia Burrell accused the ANC administration at the municipality of being in complete disregard of the needs of residents in Stilfontein. She is referring to an “extravagant party’’ on Sunday April 21, where the donation of a mine dump to the community was celebrated.
“Meanwhile Stilfontein residents are living under hazardous conditions that force them to wear masks due to the stench. Parents have also been forced to prevent their children from playing outside for fear of risking exposure to disease.’’
According to Burrell, the municipality has been neglecting the sewerage crisis for years and his led to devastating consequences. The sewerage has been contaminating the Republic Dam (pannetjie) for years.
“Despite legal action initiated by the DA in 2020 against key figures within the municipality, including the then Municipal Manager, Theetsi Nkhumise, and the then Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipal Manager, Shirley Mabedi Lesupi, the sewage spill problem persists without a permanent solution in sight,’’ she said.
The DA will now request the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to intervene and investigate the negligence of the municipality in addressing this crisis.
