Durban – Member of the IFP in the KZN legislature Nessa Bhanprakash paid a visit to the malfunctioning and deserted Athlone Park Pump Station in eManzimtoti, south of Durban, where sewage spills over on to a golf course, sanctuary and into the Isipingo River which flows into Isipingo beach.
Bhanprakash, who is the IFP spokesperson for Conservation and Environmental Affairs in the KZN legislature, visited the area on Wednesday, December 7.
The IFP said for the past two years Athlone Park had been plagued by a faulty water treatment pump which had led the local community to develop their own sewage pit.
“Due to the inability to carry the wastewater treatment load, stinky raw sewage is spilling over on to a golf course, sanctuary and the Isipingo River which flows into Isipingo beach,” said the IFP.
Bhanprakash said the IFP was convinced that the sewage spillage on to eThekwini Municipality beaches could not be resolved overnight.
He said this appeared to be the result of a total breakdown of sewage water treatment systems in most parts of the municipality.
This was evident in our latest finding about a collapsed sewage pump station in Athlone Park, he said.
“After IFP members paid a visit to the malfunctioning and deserted Athlone Park Pump Station, it became apparent that the eThekwini Municipality has to take responsibility for the Isipingo Beach sewage spillage.
“Even the Amanzimtoti Golf Course was not spared, as muck was visible all over the grass and could be exposing the golfers and staff to hazardous materials. There was evidence of a backflow of sewage from manholes around the clubhouse and in the car park,” said Bhanprakash.
Bhanprakash said the pump station was reported to have been non-functioning for more than two years, which had forced the golf club to construct an alternative sewer pit.
“The IFP is deeply concerned that eThekwini Municipality appears to have turned a blind eye to this problem for over two years, endangering the lives of surrounding communities and local flora and fauna, due to sewage spilling directly into the estuary,” said Bhanprakash.
He called on the municipality to take immediate action to repair the pump station.
“People’s health is at risk. Moreover, these toxic conditions will impact negatively on economic activity along popular eThekwini beaches during the festive season,” he added.
EThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the City is aware of the condition of this sewerage pump station and work is under way to get it back on track.
“Its malfunction is as a result of unceasing vandalism. To date the city has spent a lot of money responding to this scourge. We apologise to the public and golfers for the inconvenience. We appeal to all our stakeholders to join our fight against vandalism, ” said Mayisela.
