Over 80 fish have died in another possible water contamination scandal which surfaced in Randfontein and has residents together with ward councilors up in arms and concerned about farmers livestock.
The Herald was informed about the incident recently and took to the pond together with local Ward Councilors, Peter Dick and Sina Erasmus to investigate the farmer’s claims.
Upon arrival, more than 30 fish were stacked on the side of the pond while others were floating in the water.
According to the farmer Juan Ludick, these are just a few of the fish that have died and more are on the other end of the pond.
“Obviously I am upset about this but the fish are the least of my worries.
“My main concern really is my cattle because they drink from the pond and they are the ones that keep our business running.
“I want to know what is in this water that kills my fish and I want to know where it all comes from,” says Ludick,
Both councillors say that they have tried to assist Ludick and have reported the matter to the Randfontein Local Municipality.
“We took the matter to council and the first thing they told us was to get this water tested and that is fine by us.
“But what bothers us the most is the fact that they are not willing to pay for the tests,” says Erasmus.
Dick says that despite the hurdles they continue to experience in their quest for truth, they will get to the bottom of the matter and will find out what is being dumped into the water that continues to kill the fish.
He adds that they will approach the Department of Water Affairs to assist in testing the water.
This saga follows a damning article published by the Herald recently were a local farmer’s cattle died owing to alleged contaminated water a ways downstream.
