In a move that starkly contradicts the Mbombela Local Municipality’s ongoing environmental transgressions, the Municipality was awarded the Green Municipality award.
This award, presented under the Temvelo programme by Mpumalanga’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, which recognises “excellence and dedication to the environment”, is entirely at odds with what is actually happening on grass-roots level.
Mbombela’s ongoing and deliberate pollution of natural water resources demonstrates a blatant disregard for environmental legislation and public health.
Despite guidelines, numerous warnings and even threats of possible criminal charges, the uncontrolled dumping of raw sewage into rivers and agricultural canals continues.
In Hazyview, the sewage treatment plant was non-operational for over 12 months. During this period, approximately 200 litres of untreated sewage was pumped into the Langspruit River every minute.
In White River, the sewage treatment plant continues to discharge untreated sewage into agricultural canals and drainage ditches, with no sign of repairs or plans to address the situation.
The Barberton sewage treatment plant is unfinished and dysfunctional, leading to widespread pollution.
These incidents are well-documented and affect multiple towns within the Municipality. Mbombela certainly did not deserve this award.
Temvelo, which is fully aware of Mbombela’s environmental issues, has failed to uphold its own standards and responsibilities.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has already approached the Green Scorpions and will once again formally request, in writing, an investigation into the ongoing sewage pollution in Mbombela.
The Freedom Front Plus demands answers to the following questions:
• Why was Mbombela given the award despite proven sewage pollution?
• What will Temvelo and the Green Scorpions do to hold the Municipality accountable?
• When will decisive action be taken to address these environmental transgressions?
The Freedom Front Plus will not keep silent while residents’ health is endangered and natural resources are destroyed.
The party will keep pressuring the relevant authorities until matters are rectified.
