Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Hansie du Plessis and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight visit to the Virginia sewer pump stations and the main sewage plant in Virginia, revealing a devastating situation. All sewage from Virginia is currently flowing into the Sand River, causing immense pollution that threatens the environment and puts public health at risk. Please see pictures here, here, here and here.
The main pump station that pumps sewage to the wastewater treatment plant was vandalised more than six months ago, but the Matjhabeng Local Municipality has taken no action to stop the flow of raw sewage into the river. This has led to the dumping of raw sewage from various towns in the area, including Saaiplaas, Harmony, Virginia Town, Kitty, Merriespruit, and Meloding, into the river.
The cost of repairing the vandalised pump station is estimated at R5 million to R6 million, far below the damage being caused to the environment. In addition, the main sewage plant in Virginia is currently inoperable, and the land is being used for farming activities by one of the municipal officials.
The situation is worsened as raw sewage from the treatment works in Welkom is also flowing into the river on the opposite side. The pollution is destroying the river ecosystem and posing a threat to the Bloemhof dam, spreading water contamination.
The DA blames the maladministration and poor planning of the Matjhabeng Municipality’s management for the dire situation. The administration has neglected to provide basic services to the ratepayers of Matjhabeng, including the constitutional right to a clean and safe environment.
The DA demands that the Municipal Manager take immediate remedial action to save the environment and restore it to a clean and safe condition for all. The sewage infrastructure of the municipality has crumbled at the expense of the environment, and the DA insists that the municipality take action to fix the situation urgently. The DA will continue to monitor the situation and hold the municipality accountable for any further damage to the environment.