THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is launching an investigation into the raw sewage spilling into the Great Fish River.
The Cradock Waste Water Treatment Works, which falls under the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), is still not fully operational and raw sewage is flowing unabated into the Great Fish River.
The Eastern Cape DA Midlands constituency leader, Retief Odendaal, said that access to clean drinking water and sanitation were basic human rights.
“I wrote to the SAHRC on July 10, and requested that it immediately intervene in this matter. I received feedback from the SAHRC’s Eastern Cape provincial manager, Abongile Sipondo, on August 26, who confirmed that my complaint will be investigated on the grounds that it contains a prima facie violation of a human right,” Odendaal said.
The discharge of raw sewage into the river, an issue that has been ongoing for years, could result in the water becoming so contaminated that it will no longer be fit for use as an irrigation source for farmers.
This also poses a massive health and environmental risk to local communities.
A month has passed since the acting city manager of the CHDM, Bhekisisa Mthembu, confirmed that reparations had begun at the Cradock Waste Water Treatment Works.
Odendaal said in a media statement that very little work had taken place and the treatment works were still not operational.
Odendaal laid criminal charges against the municipality and Mthembu in July at the Cradock Police Station.
The charges relate to Section 151 (1) of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, for “continued intentional and wilful contamination and pollution of the Great Fish River”.
Odendaal added, “If those implicated are found guilty, they can face either up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a substantial fine or both. I have also previously written to the Green Scorpions to investigate this matter.”
Both these investigations are ongoing.
