Sewage spills pose health hazards for Thabazimbi residents of Regorogile.
THE Bushveld town of Thabazimbi and its surrounding neighborhoods are currently under siege of severe health hazards posed by sewage spillage.
The most affected area is the Regorogile settlement where these persistent health risks have gone unattended to.
The Democratic Alliance in Thabazimbi local municipality has raised the alarm by laying criminal charges against Municipal Manager and Director of Technical Services for allegedly failing to adequately address persistent sewage spills.
The DA says it hopes the criminal charges will place necessary pressure on the municipality to address sewage spills
Party councilor, Estie Fourie confirmed that they have laid criminal charges against the Municipal Manager and Director of Technical Services for the alleged failure to adequately address persistent sewage spills across Thabazimbi town and Regorogile despite numerous reports and “opportunities to intervene.”
Fourie said the sewerage system has been plagued with numerous challenges and sewage spills that have become a regular occurrence, exposing thousands of residents to serious health hazards.
“For months, sewage problems have been reported through various municipal channels, including Customer Care, Technical Services and directly to senior municipal management and nothing has been done.
“Residents should not have to live with raw sewage flowing through streets, residential areas, public spaces and watercourses. Apart from the unbearable conditions, sewage pollution raises serious concerns regarding public health, environmental contamination and the dignity and quality of life of our residents,” she said.
Fourie said they will follow up regularly with investigating officers and prosecutors on the progress in their cases to ensure that municipalities are held accountable for environmental damage to the broader community and wildlife as well as the imminent health risks these sewage leaks pose.
“The DA will continue to cooperate fully with SAPS and have provided relevant information on various affected areas around Thabazimbi, the severity of the sewage spills and the conditions being experienced by communities to assist the investigation.”
Fourie added that: “Municipal officials have a responsibility to ensure that essential services are managed effectively and that serious threats to residents and the environment, like sewerage spills, receive appropriate attention. The DA has a plan to get Thabazimbi working, by identifying priority funding areas, including upgrading and providing well maintained sewerage systems.
The DA will follow up regularly with investigating officers on the progress in our case to ensure that the senior municipal officials are held accountable for the health and environmental risks to the broader community these sewage leaks pose.”