The Mayor of the Mbombela Local Municipality, Sibongile Makhushe, has made R27,3 million available for upgrades to the Barberton water treatment plant.
This follows after months of constant pressure from the FF Plus as well as a criminal complaint lodged by the party.
The South Cape River near Barberton in the Mbombela Local Municipality (Hazyview, White River, Nelspruit, Skukuza and Barberton) has been severely polluted by the run-off of sewage from the currently mismanaged and dilapidated water treatment plant.
The ecological disaster caused by the run-off includes thousands of fish dying, a sharp drop in the harvests on nearby farms, and serious health problems for people living in the area.
On the 4th of July, after months of unanswered questions submitted to municipal officials, the FF Plus lodged a criminal complaint against the Municipality. The charge includes the violation of the National Water Act and the National Disaster Management Act.
Makhushe confirmed during a council meeting on 31 August that the R27,3 million will be made available for upgrading the water treatment plant.
The FF Plus's question of whether the budgeted amount includes the rehabilitation of ecological damage downstream remained unanswered, but the FF Plus will see to it that rehabilitation is done within the budget.
The FF Plus is also busy tackling several other similar issues in the Municipality and will not rest until all natural resources are managed effectively.
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