The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu met the Mayoral Committee of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) led by the acting Executive Mayor, Councillor Nomvula Thulo to discuss the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Report on the Gauteng Provincial Inquiry Into the Sewage Problem of the Emfuleni Local Municipality and resultant leaking into and pollution of the Vaal River and the Rietspruit.
The meeting was attended by Councillors K. Ntombela, MMC Infrastructure; B. Ntsele, MMC Basic Services and E. Kele, MMC Human Settlements.
Sisulu explained her decision to invoke Section 63 of the Water Act of 1997, following the recommendations by the SAHRC which gave the affected stakeholders that included the Department of Water and Sanitation 60 days to respond.
The Minister further informed the Mayor and her team that she has had a meeting on this matter with Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
The acting Executive Mayor was pleased that the interface between the Minister and Emfuleni has allowed the institution to play an active role as the communities of Emfuleni, the Municipality and its workers will be the ultimate beneficiaries when the proposed intervention is implemented.
According to Steve Motale, the ministry’s spokesperson the department’s legal team outlined the legislative and legal steps to be undertaken under Section 63 of the Water Act.
“The meeting also discussed and agreed to enhanced intergovernmental relations among affected parties to ensure smooth operations and completion of all projects.
The Minister committed to ensuring that ELM is involved throughout the process.”
There was a commitment to regular briefing sessions and reaffirming the role of the established IGR structures that must further enhance the ELM Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) implementation with the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Gauteng Provincial Government, Administrators and ELM Management.
The meeting was attended by Councillors K. Ntombela, MMC Infrastructure; B. Ntsele, MMC Basic Services and E. Kele, MMC Human Settlements.
