MyPE

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Inxuba Yethemba sewage crisis could increase risk of Covid-19 infections

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Dear MyPE

The total collapse of water and sanitation services under the stewardship of the inept Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) could have exponentially increased the chances of Coronavirus infections in Cradock and Middleburg.

On Tuesday, 5 May 2020, I conducted oversight inspections at various waste water treatment plants and pump stations in the IYLM and found many to be non-operational or dysfunctional.

The waste water treatment works in Cradock and Middleburg are still non-operational and a number of pump stations in these towns are dysfunctional. This has led to untreated sewage flowing from manholes, through the streets and into the Great Fish River.

Over the past year I have on numerous occasions written to the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu to request her urgent intervention.

In spite of this the CHDM has not been able to make any changes to remedy this crisis.

Recent reports have also stated that the deadly Coronavirus can survive in human faeces and there are ongoing studies looking into the possibility of transmission through contact with faecal matter.

Improved hygiene during the Covid-19 pandemic is of the utmost importance and raw sewage will contribute to less hygienic conditions and weaker immune systems.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa every person has the right to access to sufficient water and decent sanitation.

The lack of water and sanitation is a public health crisis and deprives people of their right to live in dignity.

I have written to the Municipal Manager of the CHDM, Mr Gcobani Mashiyi, and called upon him to urgently address these issues or, alternatively, request assistance from the Department of Water and Sanitation or the National Water Command Centre and give feedback within 7 days.

I have also again written to Minister Sisulu and placed on record that she has been fully informed about the continued failures of the CHDM with regards to its failure to perform its water and sanitation mandate.

I have asked the minister to revert back to me within seven days and provide feedback on how she plans to intervene.

If not, the community of the IYLM and I will have no choice but to seek the appropriate legal remedy.

Regards

Retief Odendaal, MPL
EC Midlands Constituency Leader

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