The Ekurhuleni Metro’s Department of Water and Sanitation’s tardy response to the massive sewage pollution crisis at Boksburg Lake proves that the Metro only became officially aware of it on 9 October when the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) reported it.
This is despite the fact that the pollution was obvious for a number of months.
According to a departmental report, the sewer pipe, now repaired, not only carried household sewage, but also chemical waste from nearby industries, for which there is no record.
Repairing a damaged pipe, however, does nothing to rehabilitate the polluted Lake or the stream into which the waste was spilling – the Freedom Front Plus demands further steps.
These steps should include an independent water and soil test to determine the extent and severity of the pollution, as the internal report is inadequate.
The party will also report the incident to the Gauteng Department of Environmental Affairs, requesting it to investigate potential negligence, and draft a rehabilitation plan with deadlines and specific obligations.
In addition, the Freedom Front Plus insists that all industries should be compelled to keep dumping records to determine which factories contribute to the pollution.
If the Metro fails to implement these rehabilitation proposals soon, the Freedom Front Plus will refer the matter to the Green Scorpions.
The party maintains that the dumping of waste right next to a public library in the vicinity of playgrounds cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident; it is part of a larger systemic problem that urgently requires attention.
The Boksburg Lake is not only filthy, but also sick.
What the natural environment around the Boksburg Lake really needs is not a paintbrush or a positive spin, but targeted intervention.
The Freedom Front Plus will see to it that its rehabilitation is not just a plan on paper, but a true restoration project with public accountability.
