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This afternoon ActionSA laid criminal charges against the Ngwathe Municipal Manager, Fikile Malunga, requesting SAPS to investigate the Municipality for contravening the Water Services Act by failing to prevent pollution from Tokoloho and Sungat Sewer Pump Stations which flows into the Vaal River in Parys contaminating the water.

The Municipality has also violated Section 24 and 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, specifically section which stipulate that everyone has the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative measures that must prevent pollution and ecological degradation, to promote conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.

This morning ActionSA engaged with Tokoloho and Sungat residents about the sewer crisis and pollution and we were informed that many residents suffer from respiratory conditions and that the stench coming from the station is unbearable. They also informed that they have been complaining to the Municipality for several years.

What is of great concern is the latest 2023 Blue Drop Report released by the Department of Water and Sanitation which indicates The Parys WTW is in poor condition and in desperate need of refurbishment and maintenance, coupled with operational know-how.

Less than 60% of the installed capacity at the WTW is currently available to treat water, compromising both the quantity and quality of the water. Both the sand filtration and chlorination units are dysfunctional. No sludge management is in place. 

No flow metering and limited water quality monitoring is not conducive for proper process control. No information (NI) on the final water quality presents a major risk for the water users of the municipality. Urgent and major interventions are required to correct the dysfunctional state of the water infrastructure and processes.

Furthermore, the regulator noted that the drinking water quality does not meet the SANS 241:2015 drinking water standards. This is one of the reasons why Parys had a cholera case during the pandemic.

ActionSA will also refer this issue to the Green Scorpions requesting them to intervene and to put an end to the pollution to reverse the damage already caused.

We are committed to implementing strong accountability measures, including criminal sanctions, for negligent dereliction of duty and contravention of ethical codes.

Issued by ActionSA Free State Provincial Chairperson Patricia Kopane