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Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed a complaint with the Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) against the Lephalale Municipality over a large sewage spill.

During a recent oversight inspection, the DA noted that a dam of sewage water has been collecting along the main road (Nelson Mandela Drive) between Lephalale town and Onverwacht.

The residents have had this sewage overflow problem for the past few months and it has remained unaddressed.

The raw sewage flows right in front of households and this situation is a health hazard that also causes an unbearable stench. The sewage spill further poses a serious health risk for children as it lies within a public park where they are expected to play.

The sewage dam is right next to a pump station that is not currently working and has gone unattended.

The municipality’s failure to fix the sewage spills infringes on the residents’ right to a healthy and clean environment.

The DA is committed to ensuring that residents in our communities are not exposed to raw sewage. The municipality cannot continue to put the health and safety of our residents at risk. We will continue to monitor the situation until it is resolved.

Issued by DA Councillor in Lephalale Municipality, Nicolaas Pienaar