The pollution at the Moqhaka Local Municipality (Kroonstad, Renovaal, Steynsrus, Vierfontein, Viljoenskroon) in the Free State has become so serious that the local memorial Anglo-Boer War concentration camp in Kroonstad, in particular the cemetery, is submerged in sewage.
In addition, the Vals River is also being polluted by sewage which has been spilling into it for years now. This river not only supplies the towns that are serviced by the Municipality with drinking water for humans and animals, but it also flows into the Vaal River, which means that it is polluting a much larger water source.
Just recently, the Municipality apparently allowed a local toilet paper factory to totally block the sewage system in the area. This contributes greatly to the pollution problem.
The local memorial Anglo-Boer War concentration camp – a national heritage site – is covered in waste created by the factory. The situation is unacceptable.
The FF Plus lodged a criminal complaint against the municipal manager of the Moqhaka Local Municipality for the violation of the relevant stipulations of the Environmental Management Act and is appealing to the Minister and the Department of Water and Sanitation to prioritise all violations of legislation in this regard.
The pollution of South Africa's water sources, which are already under immense pressure with the drought, cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely and unpunished. It is a criminal offence and the ones responsible for it must be held accountable.
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