'Department tightens grip on water polluters'  16 July 2020

There were more than 50 criminal cases of water and river polluters between 2017 and July this year across the country, the department of human settlements, water and sanitation said at the weekend. The department has since called on people to take an active stand against the pollution of rivers. Its call coincides with the department’s campaign, Clear Rivers, which advocates for citizens to clean up rivers and water ecosystems. “Over the years, the department has fastened its hand to enforcement actions taken against polluters across the country,” said departmental spokesperson Sputnik Ratau in a statement.

The department has also intervened in Sishen Mine in the Northern Cape. In this case, the mine was found to be contravening some conditions of a water-use licence. These included exceeding the authorised volume of water taken from boreholes, failing to comply with wastewater quality limits and poor storm water management. “The mine’s conduct was deemed unlawful, as failure to comply with wastewater limits results in pollution of both surface and groundwater resources which may impact downstream users and aquatic life relying on the resource.

“A directive was issued to the mine to rectify the contraventions. An action plan for rectification was submitted to the department and implemented accordingly. Ongoing follow-up inspections are presently being carried out,” the department said. The department has also reiterated its commitment to safeguard the country’s water sources as part of its core mandate, and strives to ensure that those who are found to be contravening the law are held accountable