Note to Editors: Attached please find a soundbite in English here and Afrikaans here by Leanne De Jager MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the City of Tshwane to urgently fix sewage leaks on 1st Street, Chantelle, The Orchards, which are posing a health risk to residents.
The raw sewage is overflowing into a wetland adjacent to a creche and residential area. The city has neglected this issue despite residents reporting it.
The city must also provide a clear timeline for repairs and a long-term fix for affected residents. The water quality testing is needed to assess the level of contamination.
The DA Councillor candidate, Raymond Ditsi, recently raised this matter.
Residents have complained about an overpowering stench that has made life in the area unbearable. The pollution has attracted snakes and rodents, posing health risks to children at the creche and families nearby.
Sewage is not only a nuisance. Untreated effluent carries pathogens that cause serious illness, and young children are especially vulnerable. Wetlands are also vital ecological infrastructure, filtering water and protecting our river systems.
It is unacceptable that the city has ignored the reports of raw sewage overflowing into the wetland. Residents pay their rates and taxes and are entitled to a safe, healthy environment.
The DA will submit a formal request to the relevant authorities and will continue to monitor the matter until residents’ concerns are resolved.
Residents in Tshwane deserve a government that will take their concerns seriously. A DA government will promptly address health hazards like raw sewage.