Durban — ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal has asked homeowners, business owners and concerned residents to share how eThekwini’s sewage problem has affected them.
This is being done through a 6-point online public participation process, and includes the option of selecting whether the homeowner, business owner or concerned resident supports ActionSA’s court action against the eThekwini Municipality over the sewage problem.
Last week, ActionSA told the municipality to fix the sewer system or face court action.
In its public participation process, Stop The Stink, ActionSA asks if eThekwini’s sewage problem affects you.
It reads: “ActionSA is preparing to take the negligent eThekwini Municipality to court if they do not ensure that the water quality at all eThekwini beaches reaches acceptable levels in two weeks. Will you join us?”
If you click yes, it takes you to the public participation process which asks for your name, surname, email address, phone number, an option to select homeowner, business owner or concerned resident, tell us how this issue affected you, and whether or not you support ActionSA's court action against the eThekwini Municipality.
ActionSA says the infrastructure renewal and maintenance of the sewer system is a fundamental function of a metro municipality, and the historic failure of this function is directly to blame for the malfunction of sewage pump stations in various locations in eThekwini since the floods in April.
“This is not merely a tragedy for the people of eThekwini or KwaZulu-Natal but for the whole of South Africa with our Durban coastline being a national treasure to be enjoyed by all South Africans.
“Our city faces a festive season where its hospitality industry and broader economy will be severely damaged by our beaches remaining closed over the festive season – traditionally a vital source of job-sustaining economic activity for eThekwini. This, alongside the inability of eThekwini residents to use their natural environment for economic, recreational, social and religious purposes necessitates our intervention,” it said.
Has eThekwini's sewage problem affected you?
The online public participation process is meant to enable ActionSA to hear first-hand the human impact of the eThekwini Municipality’s alleged inaction from affected residents and businesses.
Last week, ActionSA KZN chairperson Zwakele Mncwango told the eThekwini municipality to fix the sewer system or face court action.
Mncwango said ActionSA’s legal teams issued a letter of demand to the municipality.
He said the letter requires the cessation of the flow of sewage into the river systems in the city that has resulted in the closure of beaches, health concerns for residents and long-term damage to sensitive ecosystems.
Mncwango said Section 152 of the Constitution of South Africa was unequivocal on the responsibility of local governments to promote social and economic development, and to provide a safe and healthy environment.
Daily News