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Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) will file a complaint with the Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) against the Makhado Municipality over a sewage spill at Mahonisi village in Elim.

The residents have had the sewage overflow problem for the past two years and it has remained unaddressed to the detriment of residents in the village. See photos here, here and here.

The raw sewage flows right in front of households in the village and this situation is a health hazard and causes an unbearable stench. The sewage spill has also created a serious cockroach problem and poses a serious health risk for children who play close by as well as the livestock that drink it.

Most of the sewage pipes in the area are blocked and are not maintained or serviced regularly. The problem of overflowing sewage in the municipality is further compounded by ageing wastewater and sewerage treatment infrastructure.

The DA has raised these challenges with the Vhembe District Municipality and Makhado Municipality officials numerous times, and despite commitments to fix the sewage spill in the village, nothing has happened. 

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

The DA is committed to ensuring 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.

Issued by DA Councillor in Makhado Municipality, Glanda Furumele