Louis Thabethe said he had already started repairing the leaking sewerage plants polluting the Vaal River before the court fined the Lekwa Local Municipality an astronomical R70 million last week. Can he be believed?
The Standerton Regional Court found the municipality guilty of violating environmental legislation two weeks ago, due to its sewerage plants that had been leaking effluent into the river and streets for many years.
Thabethe, who started leading the hung municipality under the banner of the Lekwa community forum after the 2021 local government election, said that the waste treatment plant had been made for 9 megalitres, but was receiving double that amount.We created extra storage so that sewage doesn’t flow into the Vaal River.
According to the court order, the R70 million fine should be channelled towards repairs and proof of expenditure, while repairs should be submitted to the Mpumalanga department of agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs. “The DA hopes that this ruling will send a message to Cogta that Lekwa needs its intervention. It’s disappointing to note the way different senior officials in this municipality have compromised the livelihoods of residents.”Last June, the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in Mashishing , Mpumalanga, was fined R10 million for allowing sewage to spill into the Dorps River and leaving refuse uncollected.
. Failure to comply with the conditions stipulated in the water use licence, in contravention of the National Water Act. The municipality operated its wastewater management plants so poorly that this led to the disposal and discharge of raw effluent in a manner that was detrimental to water resources and the health of residents;.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mampara of the week: Danny JordaanGqeberha must have heaved a sigh of relief this week that this Mampara, who again made headlines for all the wrong reasons, is no longer the metro mayor.
Read more »
R54m set aside for flood-damaged M4 bridgeThe KZN Transport Department says repairs to the Tongaat River Bridge should take about six months to complete 🛣️ ECR_Newswatch KZN
Read more »
Diphtheria Outbreak - 82% of Nigeria Cases Unvaccinated PatientsThe Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has declared an outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria. There are more than 790 confirmed and 80 deaths since December 2022. The majority of cases were reported in Kano State (782), followed by Lagos, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Kaduna, and Osun. Children most affected are aged two to 14 years. Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease, but the outbreak has been attributed to sub-optimal vaccination coverage, as 82% of the confirmed cases were unvaccinated. Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that is often fatal in up to 10% of cases. It is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheria, of which humans are the only natural host. It affects all age groups but mostly young children. It is transmitted through respiratory secretions, or by breathing in droplets from an infected person when they cough or sneeze. The NCDC is working with relevant authorities to control the spread of the disease and is urging the public to seek early diagnosis and treatment. In response to the outbreak, the House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC, and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to intensify sensitization campaigns and contain the outbreak effectively.
Read more »
No 'secrecy' over Komati's green transition project - it's just off to a late start, says Eskom | BusinessThe utility has admitted the transition project at the plant is off to a late start, and that such projects ought to start while coal-power is still operating. | News24_Business
Read more »
Junior Boks counting on fast start in semi-finalCaptain Paul de Villiers says the Junior Springboks want to be first out of the starting blocks when they face Ireland in the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final at Athlone Stadium on Sunday.
Read more »
Foster delighted with All Blacks' start in big win over ArgentinaFoster delighted with All Blacks' start in big win over Argentina: New Zealand’s electric tempo early in the game and their clinical finishing laid the platform for a convincing 41-12 Rugby Championship victory over hosts Argentina on Saturday, a…
Read more »