Oil spews out of manhole in Marburg
Photographer Vee Ramsayi captured shocking images of waste oil that had spilled out of a manhole at the Marburg Sports Complex.
Oil spills that occur in rivers and the oceans are often caused by accidents involving tankers, pipelines and drilling rigs.
But how does oil/sludge spill out of a manhole in a residential area some 5km from the ocean?
Photographer Vee Ramsayi captured shocking images last Wednesday of waste oil that had spilled out of a manhole at the Marburg Sports Complex at a fun run hosted by the district Saps office.
The oil flowed from a stormwater drain to the main entrance to the ground.
The Umbango River Conservancy chairperson, Morgan Naidoo, said the sludge has contaminated the dilapidated sports complex.
“It was difficult for us to determine its source or how it found its way into the stormwater pipe. As a concerned environmental organisation, we tried to get the various departments involved to take tests but failed. The question that begs to be asked is where are the paid officers who should follow up, not a week or month later but immediately?”
Morgan added that relevant authorities were notified last Thursday and Friday, but none were able to reassure that officers would be dispatched to conduct tests, take samples or clean up.
The conservancy has contacted Ugu District Municipality, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs.
The Herald is awaiting a press statement from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and Ugu.
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