At the end of July, residents realised the extent of the pollution of the Vaal River. If you believe this pollution has violated your right to access clean water and a clean environment or your dignity, you need to act now.
The SA Human Rights Commission is investigating the pollution of the Vaal River and is asking the public for their submissions. You can now forward your one-page submission to admin@vaalactiongroup.co.za before 25 November. They will then compile all the complaints and forward them to the Commission.
The submission should include a short description, photographs, statistics, medical reports etc. that can prove that you have suffered in whatever way.
For instance, farmers may have incurred extra costs because they had to sink a new borehole. They may require compensation for the changes in the constitution of their soil (pH values), additional costs for cleaning the algae from the water troughs or the loss of income because they could not use the water to irrigate their crops. The contaminated water may have demonstrably caused livestock to get sick, etc.
Tourism operators, guest houses or shops may have suffered demonstrable losses through a drop in visitor numbers or cancellations as a direct result of the pollution. They may also have incurred extra expenses in removing dead fish etc.
If you have any other proof that the pollution has negatively impacted your business, health or visitors, please act now
