The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is concerned that the thousands of litres of raw sewage flowing into the wetlands in Marigane and Lanseria street in Bonaero Park, Kempton Park is a health hazard.
The DA has been inundated with complaints by residents about the severe sewer stench which is present 24/7.
The existing sewer line which was installed many years ago within the perimeter of this important wetland has become severely perforated due to old age, which has led to the raw sewage seeping out of this pipe into the wetland.
See pictures here here here and here
Residents are unable to go outside or open the windows of their homes for fear of breathing in this stench. This has been a problem in the area for more than 10 years.
The pleas of the residents to government to do something about the raw sewage running into the wetlands have fallen on deaf ears.
This wetland used to be a major attraction with hundreds of flamingos frequenting the wetland and home to many fauna species. However, due to the current state of the wetlands the flamingos have disappeared as have the fauna species.
The DA will be writing to the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Morakane Mosupyoe as well as the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional, Lebogang Maile and the Green Scorpions to intervene in this situation as a matter of urgency.