"This is due to the pump station‚ which is supposed to pump toxic waste to a purifying plant‚ not being operational for more than six months. The reason for the inactive pump station is allegedly the result of Eskom removing the breakers for the pump station last year‚ rendering it useless. This is apparently due to the excessive debts owed to Eskom by the Mopani district municipality.
"The hospital‚ which is supposed to provide health services to the community‚ is now putting thousands of lives in the area at risk and it would appear that little has been done to fix the situation."
Wilson said the party had already filed a complaint with the Green Scorpions [the Environmental Management Inspectorate]‚ under the Department of Environmental Affairs.
"Not only are lives put at risk‚ but the entire ecology of the river system is in jeopardy. The stench from the river due to the waste is unbearable. Surgical gloves‚ bandages and a countless other waste litters the river," Wilson said.
"Less than 200m down the river from the hospital‚ people were bathing and further down a water truck was found pumping water out of the river‚ possibly to sell to people in the area."

Wilson said those responsible for the "toxic waste" in the river should be held accountable for their actions.

Source: Business Day