Fairall threatens with legal action

Environmental consultant Mr Paul Fairall has revealed plans to lay criminal charges against all parties responsible for the pollution of the Juskei River that passes through Morninghill.

Mr Fairall said he is currently seeking legal advice before laying the charges.

“I am certainly prepared to lay criminal charges against the relevant person (or people) at the City of Joburg, Department of Environment or Directorate of Water Quality and Catchment Management. I must be sure of, and what Section of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), would apply so that the docket can be worded properly by the SAPS and that the prosecutor and Magistrate also understand,” said Mr Fairall.

He said it is a tragic case that the sewage keeps coming into the river from the Johannesburg CBD and nothing is done about it.

“The way things are, we could have a cholera outbreak at any time and we need the authorities to account as to why nothing has happened thus far after numerous attempts to get them to answer as to what the source is and why it has not been stopped,” he added.

The ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys, said she was worried that her residents were affected by pollution they had not contributed to.

“People are frustrated as the smell that comes from the river has become unbearable. I condemn the pollution as it impacts badly on our environment and it needs to stop,” said Clr Humphreys.

Foam can be seen floating on the surface of the stream closest to Clarkson Street, after the small waterfall.

On March 10, a senior official from the City of Joburg’s Water Quality and Catchment Management Environment and Infrastructure Services Department said his department would investigate the matter and revert to all parties concerned.

Mr Fairall said the pollution causes irreparable ecological and bio-diversity damage to the catchment.

“Some of the pathogens can live on the river banks for years and E.coli can also survive in the mud and sediment for years,” he added.

@Duenna_M