City of Cape Town sewage debacle: ActionSA to file criminal complaint

ActionSA in the Western Cape is expected to file a criminal complaint against the City of Cape Town as the party uncovers records of poor management of sewer systems.

ACTIONSA DISCLOSES FINDINGS OF CITY OF CAPE TOWN SEWAGE CRISIS

Sandie MacDonald, the ActionSA Western Cape Provincial Executive Member, revealed that in their ongoing fight to address the City of Cape Town’s continued discharge of raw sewage into the ocean via its Marine Outfall Pipes, they have uncovered multiple instances of non-compliance with the permit requirements, with alarming consequences for both public health and the environment.

“As a result, ActionSA intends to file criminal charges against the City and the Minster of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.”MacDonald

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REQUIREMENTS NOT MET BY THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN

He said this decision follows the City’s responses to ActionSA’s request for information, which unveiled their unlawful non-compliance with the stipulated requirements outlined in the Hout Bay Marine Outfall Permit issued in 2019, thereby violating the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act.

“The City of Cape Town (CoCT) failed to adhere to critical provisions outlined in the permit, notably with regard to effluent quantity and quality monitoring, consistently surpassing both the permitted quantity and quality thresholds. Importantly, non-compliance with these monitoring requirements constitutes a criminal offence under the requirements of the permit.
“Additionally, the CoCT has neglected its duty of care regarding the requisite reporting stipulated in the permit. Furthermore, it has failed to establish a statutory Permit Advisory Forum and has not submitted an effluent improvement plan within the stipulated one-year timeframe following the permit’s issuance,” MacDonald outlined.

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GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT BLAMED FOR THE MESS

He also blamed the debacle on the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.

“The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment has also fallen short of its responsibilities by not establishing a Compliance Review Committee, as mandated in paragraph 13 of the permit, which would have monitored adherence to the permit conditions,” he said.

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He added that they previously underscored the significant impact of the City’s continuous discharge of raw sewage into the ocean on the environment, public health and tourism economy.
“Shockingly, we have now been presented with clear evidence of the City and National Departments’ culpability in this matter. It is both alarming and disheartening to discover that these entrusted authorities are directly contributing to the devastation of marine life and the potential risks to public health,” MacDonald concluded.

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