Oversight visit by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation to Kopanong @KASIBCNEWS

Oversight visit by Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation to Kopanong @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the oversight visit of Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo in Springfontein, Kopanong Local Municipality (KLM), on Saturday, 5 October 2024, following complaints regarding serious sewerage challenges in the municipality.

Recently, local farmers were alarmed when their livestock was exposed to untreated sewage leaking into the veld from a nearby sewage treatment plant in Springfontein. Unfortunately, this is the case across Kopanong, with seven out of the nine sewage treatment plants being dysfunctional, not to mention the many blocked and overleaking sewerage manholes across Kopanong, many of which are in close proximity to rivers, dams and other water sources.

The sporadic collection of refuse in KLM also negatively affects the sewerage system as was clear during the oversight visit. KLM must ensure effective delivery of refuse removal and civic education to lessen the burden on the strained sewerage system.

The DA supports the Deputy Ministers call to KLM, and other local municipalities in the Free State, to move away from the reactionary approach to sewerage challenges and the protection of water sources, to a pro-active approach. For far too long, municipalities have only acted once severe environmental and/or economic damage has been done, rather than taking a proactive approach to maintenance, system upgrades and risk management of sewerage plants and infrastructure.

The DA looks forward to the Deputy Minister's involvement and monitoring of the sewerage challenges in Kopanong.

The DA has submitted questions to the MEC of COGTA regarding the sewerage crisis in several towns in KLM, including Bethulie, Gariepdam, Philippolis and Trompsburg. Of great concern is the sewerage plants and leaks located close to the Gariepdam and Orange River. Unfortunately, the DAs questions to the MEC remain unanswered to date.

The DA has brought these leaks to the attention of the Deputy Minister in a letter and again during the oversight visit.

During the recent Public Accounts meetings in the Provincial Legislature, the committee was informed about the high level of vandalism and theft of public infrastructure across the Province. The DA calls on the Provincial Government to insure Municipalities, especially those in rural areas of the province, implement mechanisms to better safeguard critical infrastructure such as pump stations, sewerage plants and electrical substations.

Solutions posed by the DA include simple suggestions such as installing adequate lighting on sites, community cooperation and liaison with the local SAPS and CPFs to better patrol and police critical infrastructure, all in an attempt to curb theft and vandalism.

The DA will continue to call the Kopanong Local Municipality and the Free State Provincial Government to action in the Council and Provincial Legislature to ensure basic services are delivered to the residents of Kopanong and that our valuable freshwater resources are protected.