"We are investigating this matter as it is inhumane. We will be conducting a full investigation," said Nissen. Knysna Municipality said they would respond to questions in due course. This comes after DA local government spokesperson Isaac Sileku said they had reported the matter to the SAHRC. " The municipalities failure to prevent such an occurrence is a clear breach of their duty. Not only has this led to the arduous and costly task of cleaning and blasting all water pipes with dry ice, but it has also endangered the lives of residents who unknowingly consumed contaminated water. "By failing to provide clean and safe drinking water, the municipality has egregiously violated the funda mental human rights of Knysna residents. "We urgently call upon the SAHRC to launch a comprehensive investigation into the actions of the municipality and hold them accountable for their disregard for the wellbeing and rights of the community," said Sileku. Resident Ralph Stander said while they welcomed the investigation by the SAHRC, he was uninterested in "cheap politics". "We welcome their investigations and we have put several issues to them with their visit to the community a few weeks ago. "We have raised a number of issues with the newly appointed commissioner who is a fellow Knysna resident which we take great pride in. We do not want these issues to be used for cheap politics when it comes to people's lives and community issues. "What should be highlighted is that there are two contractors which are paid millions of rand and the issue of a body being found in the reservoir happened under their watch. "We definitely want the municipality to account for how that could have happened," said Stander. The Knysna community has been plagued by a number of issues, including a financial crisis which has impacted basic service delivery. In an attempt to urgently assist the cashstrapped municipality, its council recently approved a diagnostic report and support plan presented to it by the provincial government.

Source: Cape Times