Hundreds of volunteers clean up polluted rivers in Vhembe
The chairperson TMAC, Pfarelo Ramugondo has warned communities in the Vhembe to stop illegal dumping along the rivers, main roads and in villages.
POLOKWANE – The Thulamela/Makhado Adopt a River Co-operative’s Pfarelo Ramugondo says they are worried about the extent to which disposable nappies are dumped in rivers and on playgrounds which makes innocent people vulnerable and prone to diseases.
Ramugondo spoke at Khoroni Hotel in Thohoyandou recently during a stakeholder engagement session, after travelling with the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dikeledi Magadzi and Vhembe Mayor Dowelani Nenguda to the Tshinane River and Ngudza and Mavhola villages.
The aim was to clean up polluted rivers and to create awareness around pollution and the impact it has on water resources, particularly water quality. Roughly 456 volunteers cleaned up in 88 villages and 33 rivers, which play a crucial role in the supply of water to the communities.
“We recognise water as a basic resource, which is essential to people and without it, our people become vulnerable to diseases. We are dedicated to improve the provision of safe quality water through rehabilitation and preservation of water resources within our communities, especially rural disadvantaged communities,” said Ramugondo.
Ramugondo, however, told Magadzi that they need to educate people on water care and treatment.
As volunteers, they offer their services for free, but they hope government will provide stipends, which could help them put food on the table.
Magadzi told the volunteers to report anyone who pollutes rivers along villages to the department and the Vhembe Municipality.
