This is according to the South African Human Rights Commission on Monday, 8 April 2019, after its visit to the Sebokeng Water Treatment Plant last week.

The commission’s spokesperson, Buang Jones, says although the efforts by the South African Defence Force (SANDF) should be commended, the commission remains concerned that little has been achieved in the bid to revive the Vaal. The commission on Thursday led an inspection to have first-hand experience regarding the situation in that area since the deployment of the SANDF by president Cyril Ramaphosa in late 2018.

This follows after allegations of the gross violation of the right to a clean environment and other interrelated rights as a result of raw sewage in the river and the surrounding areas such as the Midvaal. Jones says they have noticed that there is still a spillage of raw sewage.

Jones previously told OFM News that its probe into the matter does not seek to prematurely convict or put the blame at the doorstep of the municipality. He said raw sewage has been flowing into the river from pump stations on the northern bank of the river in Emfuleni‚ posing environmental and health risks to communities in areas such as Vereeniging‚ Sebokeng‚ Boipatong and Sharpeville.

OFM News