Warnings by the Department of Water Affairs late last year that companies found to be responsible for the pollution of water resources country-wide has fallen flat – at least in Randfontein.
The Herald has repeatedly reported on the serious pollution of local streams and dams, but to no avail.
The Greenhills Stream remains badly polluted with nearly no sign of life anywhere in or around the stream.
The smell of sewage somehow finding its way into the stream remains overpowering and complaints from residents living near the stream about oil still being dumped into the stream is still being received on a almost daily basis.
The Department of Water Affairs last year issued a “stern warning” to companies found contravening the National Water Act.
“The department views the pollution of the country’s rivers and dams and the illegal abstraction of water resources as a serious transgression on the National Water Act and warns those breaking the law that action will be taken against them,” said department spokesperson Themba Khumalo at the time.
Despite these warnings, nothing has been done to curb water pollution in Randfontein.
The Herald has spoken to residents and local ward councillors alike, who all say that they have done everything imaginable to get the Randfontein Local Municipality, as well as the Department of Water Affairs to give attention to the problems facing Randfontein in terms of water pollution.
Streams running through Greenhills, Wilbotsdal, Greenhills Extention 3 and Elandsvlei are all negatively affected by serious water pollution ranging from oil being dumped, to littering and large amounts of raw sewage finding its way into our waterways.
Numerous complaints to the Department’s enforcement wing known as the Blue Scorpions were made and still no action has been taken.
The Herald’s efforts to raise this issue with the Randfontein Local Municipality has also failed.
Watch this space for regular updates about the state of local streams and dams.
Related stories:
No life left in Greenhills Stream
Greenhills Streem: pollution continues
