POLOKWANE – The DA Polokwane municipal caucus is seeking the intervention of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to resolve the challenge of insufficient treatment of the Seshego Wastewater Treatment Plant which they say exposes farmers and passers-by to an unbearable stench.
The site of the plant is a sight of flowing wastewater which has formed a stream.
The DA’s John Retters says during a recent oversight visit, they found that the treatment plant is severely malfunctioning. “The plant releases millions of litres of insufficiently treated wastewater daily into the Blood River that connects with the Sand River. “We want the commission to investigate this matter and we will also submit written questions to the council regarding the current state of all Polokwane’s wastewater treatment plants and way forward to address the dire situation.”
Last year the Green Drop Report rated the Seshego Wastewater Treatment Plant a score of only 27% in contrast to the 54% rating it received in 2013.
Retters says the rating is indicative that the treatment plant is near a state of total collapse.
The provincial manager of SAHRC, Victor Mavhidula, confirmed receipt of the complaint and says: “It will be registered and thereafter assessed, as to what will happen to the complaint will be determined by the outcome of the assessment.” He says they will make recommendations to relevant authorities including the municipality.
Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selala says they will await the DA’s council motion on the plant and will equally await the commission’s recommendations post their investigations.
