/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The IFP has lambasted the uMkhanyakude District Municipality and Jozini
Municipality about their failure to fix a sewage spill in the towns of Jozini
and Mkhuze which has not been attended for weeks now.

"I don't think anybody needs to live with that. We are concerned about this,
because this is a serious health risk and should not be allowed to continue. If
the municipality employed competent workers with appropriate skills to deal with
basic service delivery, issues like these shouldn't exist. Both towns are filthy
and stink but the municipalities do not care to fix the problem," said IFP MPL
in Jozini, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa.

"I'm also worried about children, business people and the community at large
because they are the ones who are affected by this situation. Coming in contact
with raw sewage puts people at risk of contracting a number of illnesses, many
of which cause severe diarrhoea and pose particular dangers to young children,
the elderly and those with compromised immune systems," continued Mrs
Madlopha-Mthethwa.

"We urge the affected municipality to establish an early detection unit as well
as to put a continuous maintenance plan in place, so as to ensure that these
spills are identified early and infrastructure is maintained regularly. If the
municipality fails to react to this request, it will leave the IFP with no other
option but to lay charges in terms of legislation against the Municipal Manager
in his or her personal capacity," concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.

Issued by IFP