The DA in Emalahleni will approach the South African Human Rights Commision over raw sewage flowing into the Olifants river.
Residents on the riverbanks of this stream have been subject to inhumane living conditions with an unbearable odor coming from this river.
The DA has established that this happened years ago when the Riverview sewerage plant had overflown into the river. The municipality is well aware of the matter. Various complaints have been sent their way, and one of their senior officials has visited the area for an oversight. However, all these exercises have proven worthless.
The overflowing of raw sewage into Olifants river has impacted negatively on the livelihoods of residents while the ANC administration remains unbothered. The issue here is that the sewerage plant has reached capacity and no maintenance is done to alleviate this plant.
Through our engagements with the Department of Water and Sanitation, we have learnt that the department has allegedly opened a criminal case against the municipality. The department has also committed to conducting more oversight inspections to the river.
Residents living on the riverbank have also reported that all wildlife including crabs, fish, birds ect has disappeared from the river in the last month. This goes to show that this will have a negative impact on the ecosystem.
The DA will not sit back and watch ratepayers being subject to inhuman living conditions. The ANC administration needs to take accountability and acknowledge that residents have a right to a healthy and sustainable environment.
With this in mind, we have called on the South African Human Rights Commision to intervene.