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A massive sewage leak in the industrial area, next to an abattoir, had turned into a flowing river by Monday. Photo: DA. Limpopo.

MMs facing criminal charges over pollution

Date: 07 August 2015 By: Isabel Venter

The municipal managers of both the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) and the Makhado Municipality (MM) are facing criminal charges for polluting the environment.

On Tuesday, 4 August, the provincial office of the Democratic Alliance (DA) confirmed that they had laid charges since both managers had failed to repair the sewerage system within the Makhado Municipality for the past eight years. DA spokesperson on Cooperative Governance Mr Jacques Smalle said that VDM manager Cllr Emmanuel Maluleke and MM manager Cllr Isak Mutshinyali had violated the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, the Constitution and the Municipal Finance Management Act.

The charges are a last resort for the DA after both municipalities allegedly ignored the DA’s pleas to fix the sewerage system. Last week, a massive sewerage pond that had erupted at the back of an abattoir in the industrial part of town further forced the DA’s hand in the matter.

Local DA councillor Mr Brian du Plooy visited the site and explained that the leak was the result of a broken sewage pump. Over the weekend, the leak, which was initially the size of a small dam, had grown into a flowing river.

“The lack of intervention has led to the excess of toxic waste overflowing onto the streets and railway lines of Louis Trichardt. This has caused significant environmental pollution while the municipality is failing to take reasonable measures to prevent environmental harm,” said Smalle.  

At the time of our going to press, both municipalities had yet to respond to the charges. 

 
 
 

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

 
 

More photos... 

This was the initial scene of the massive sewage leak on Thursday, 30 July.

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