The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands intervention and investigation into the sewerage problem of Louis Trichardt and prosecution of the officials involved.

The local DA has brought the pollution of the aqua sphere to the attention of the provincial directorate of environmental compliance and enforcement. The directorate resorts under the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tour-ism.

“The last seven years, raw sewerage has been running into rivers, past the boreholes that supply the town with water as well as into the bushes in and around the pump stations of Louis Trichardt town. Not even 20% of the town’s raw sewerage reaches the sewerage plant situated south of the town,” reads the DA complaint, dated September 12.

Local DA Councillor Mr Brian du Plooy says that there is still no legally signed document or contract in the section 78 process between the Makhado Municipality and the Vhembe District Municipality on bulk services and retail. The Makhado Municipality must manage the bulk sewerage system of the town.

Du Plooy says that no agreement could be reached to finalise the draft contract between the Makhado Municipality and the Vhembe District Municipality and therefore there is no legal agreement binding them as service providers to each other.

“This is criminal and the officials must be legally prosecuted for not fulfilling the correct standard of their work performances set to them. The municipal manager, chief financial officer and director of technical services must be held accountable for their actions,” the DA states.

The DA has identified the pollution of the water for human consumption as a high-priority health risk and a danger to all the communities in and around Louis Trichardt. The DA requested the department to take drastic actions.

In the meantime, the department has opened a file on the matter under reference number ECE 12/2/7-09/09/09.

“You are respectfully reminded that your letter is receiving the necessary attention it deserves and you will be notified of the outcome of the letter in due course,” was the answer of Ms Makgota, manager of environmental compliance and enforcement.