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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will lay charges at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against the municipal manager of Vhembe District municipality, Sylivia Ndou, for her continued failure to fix the dysfunctional wastewater works in the Musina municipality.

The charges are for contravening Section 107 of National Environmental Management Act and Section 24 of the Constitution for the municipality's failure to protect the environment, prevent pollution and ecological degradation.

Residents of Muchongo, Matswale, Nancefield villages and in Musina town near Eric Louw high school are subjected to daily sewage leaks.

Sewage pipes are either blocked or leaking, drains are overflowing and, in some instances, the raw sewage flows into dams and streams, and the contaminated water pose serious risks to people and animals who drink the water. (See photos here, here, and here)

The raw sewage further runs through residential areas where children play and the stench is unbearable.

The Musina sewage system has been dysfunctional for years and sewage spills are a regular occurrence.

In October 2020, we reported the same problem to the Environmental Management Inspectors (Green Scorpions), but it is clear the Vhembe District officials think that they are above the law.

The DA will no longer allow the community of Musina and the environment to suffer as a result of government failure.

We trust that the SAHRC will prudently investigate the matter and that their recommendations will restore the dignity of the residents of Musina, who derives to live in a clean and healthy environment.

Issued by DA Political Head for Musina, Risham Maharaj MPL