In a statement from Waters he said the Ekurhuleni municipality is dodging accountability for the polluted Kaalspruit River, while the health and safety of children are at risk as the river flows through Tembisa.

“The DA is in possession of documentation which shows that despite several attempts by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to get clarity on what is being done to address the situation, the mayor has merely responded with a generic line that, ‘[the] matter is receiving attention and [that they] will revert … in due course,'” Waters added.

“This lack of response is an insult to the residents of Tembisa who have been living with the stench of sewage for years. I first wrote to the SAHRC in September 2015 to request they investigate the matter.”

He continued to say the water contains exceptionally high levels of general bacteria at 330 times higher than what is acceptable for river water. “Owing to the sewage that is leaking into the water, the level of coliforms is 22 000 times higher than is acceptable,” he said.

“In September 2015, I laid charges against the then municipal manager at Ekurhuleni metro, Khaya Ngema, for contravening the National Water Act 36 of 1996 section 151 (1) (j) and 2, as well as the National Environmental Act (NEMA), Act 107 of 1998 Section 49 (A) (1) (e) and (f).

“I’ve also asked the National Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, formal questions in Parliament and submitted a petition to Parliament for the matter to be investigated.”

“We cannot allow any sphere of Government to simply ignore the law, thereby putting lives at risk. The DA will ensure that politicians and officials are held to account and the people who live near the Kaalspruit River get the clean environment to which they are entitled,” Waters concluded.

Source: Thembisan