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Reference: 6/2/2/6
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: QUESTION 786 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
A draft reply to the above-mentioned question asked by Mr M J Ellis (DA);
is attached for your consideration.
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 786
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 MARCH 2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 06)
786. Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs:
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1170 on 3 May
2010, her department has established the ownership of the
sewerage infrastructure within Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality;
if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether, since her reply, a (a) pre-directive, (b) directive or
(c) criminal charge has been instituted against the responsible
municipality for any transgressions of the National Water Act,
Act 36 of 1998; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(3) whether there have been any pollution events from sewerage
infrastructure in the municipality since her reply; if not, how
was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(4) whether the Kruger National Park authorities are being informed
when pollution events from sewerage infrastructure occur; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(5) whether her department is assisting in any way in the
refurbishment of sewerage infrastructure in the municipality; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW857E
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REPLY:
(1) Yes, the Department has established that the sewerage
infrastructure is owned by the Mopani District Municipality.
(2)(a) Yes, on 7 May 2010, a pre-directive [in terms of section
19 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998)] was
issued to the Mopani District Municipality due to the failure of
the pump station.
(2)(b) No directive has been issued to the Mopani District
Municipality as the pollution contravention has been rectified.
(2)(c) No criminal charges have been laid against the Mopani
District Municipality since the pollution contravention has been
rectified.
(3) There has been no pollution incidences linked to the Ba-
Phalaborwa Main Pump Station that were reported to the
Department after 26 April 2010. This conclusion is based on the
standard operating procedure that pollution incidences that have
the potential to pollute resources are reported to the relevant
Regional Office and no ânewâ pollution reports linked to this
pump station were received. The only report that was escalated
by SAVE Chairperson on 18 February 2011 emanates from the
complaint that was already lodged with this Department on 28
March 2010.
4) Yes, the Department informs the authorities of the Kruger
National Park if there are pollution events which will affect
the Kruger National Park. Such interaction takes place through
various fora.
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(5) Yes, the Department continues to provide support to the Mopani
District Municipality as a water services authority responsible
for the local municipalities in its area of jurisdiction. With
regard to the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, the Department
has provided support in the refurbishment of the Lulekani and
Namakgale Sewage Treatment Works from 2003 till 2011. In
addition, the Department provides support for the operation and
maintenance of schemes which were previously owned by the
Department but have since been transferred to the Mopani
District Municipality.
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