The DA has called on the SA Human Rights Commission to investigate the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality for the state of pollution in the city’s rivers.
A report tabled at a public health committee meeting last week showed four rivers had elevated levels of bacterial pollutants — above the health and legal thresholds.
The report was compiled from 359 samples taken between September and December.
The party also criticised the municipality’s policy on accessing the results for residents, who must submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application.
DA councillor Mthokozisi Nkosi said in a statement that the failure to keep the rivers clean and the refusal to make the results available violated constitutional rights.
“The municipality’s refusal is a clear violation of two fundamental constitutional rights,” he said.
“They are the right to a protected environment and the right to access information.
“By withholding this information, the municipality is not only failing to prevent pollution and ecological degradation, but also depriving residents of their right to know about the state of their environment.”
In the letter written on February 20, Nkosi urged the commission to investigate the municipality for alleged inaction on pollution.
The letter said the municipality must implement effective maintenance of ageing wastewater treatment plants and address the issue of frequent sewage spillages caused by vandalism and other infrastructural challenges.
“Over the last few years, it has become increasingly evident that the rivers in our municipality are heavily polluted, primarily due to improper waste disposal practices and inadequate sewage treatment facilities.
“The levels of contamination and general conditions have raised serious concerns among residents, particularly regarding the potential health risks associated with such pollution,” Nkosi wrote.
High levels of E. coli and faecal coliforms, which have long been a problem in the city’s waterways, raise the probability of infection and disease for residents.
The rivers pose a health threat to children who might play along the banks or in the water.
Of the 359 samples in the rivers, 89% did not meet the minimum requirements.
Should the levels of both indicator organisms exceed the threshold of 130 colony-forming units (CFUs)/100ml of water, the likelihood of infection and the onset of gastrointestinal diseases escalates with the increasing levels.
Vandalism of sanitation infrastructure, a burgeoning population and informal settlements mushrooming in floodplains have contributed to the problem, according to the report.
Only one sample taken from the Baakens River in the reporting period cleared the required levels in September with both E. coli and faecal coliforms.
The rest of the samples revealed consistently high counts, even reaching 868,000CFU/100ml for both bacterial matter.
Similarly, in December, a sample from the Chatty River taken near the Veeplaas soccer field showed E. coli and faecal coliform counts higher than 242,000 CFU/100ml.
The bacterium count in the rivers was also alarmingly high in the Papenkuils River, reaching as high as 488,000 CFU/100ml in October.
A November sample revealed 1,733,000 CFU/100ml count in E.coli and 2,420,000 in faecal coliforms.
The Niven Bridge, Frans Klaasen Bridge, Kevin Jones wastewater treatment works and Despatch bridge sampling along the Swartkops River consistently had failed samples.
Count levels exceeding 242,000 CFU/100ml were consistently found between September and December for both in the river.
SAHRC Eastern Cape intake officer Daliwonga Mahlanga confirmed receiving the letter.
Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said the DA was being mischievous as the PAIA process was intended to ensure transparency, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
“It is mischievous, misguided and misinformation to view the PAIA process as denying public access to information,” he said.
“By adhering to the PAIA process, our municipality effectively balances the need for transparency with the protection of sensitive information, fostering a more informed and engaged public.”
The Herald
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