ADDO- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has laid criminal charges amid a deepening ecological and public health crisis in Addo where a major sewage spill has affected the Valencia area, home to about 6,500 residents.
Ongoing since at least 25 March, the spill has reached critical levels, posing serious health risks and creating conditions for disease to spread.
The environmental impact is also a growing concern.The overflow has disrupted daily life, blocking access routes, affecting businesses and leaving some residents effectively confined to their homes.
Despite repeated reports by DA councillors and the community, the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality has failed to respond adequately.
The municipality has not repaired faulty sewerage pumps timeously nor contained the spill or ensured proper clean-up and public safety measures.
The DA has now opened a criminal case against the Municipal Manager at Kirkwood Police Station, citing violations of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
NEMA places a legal duty on responsible parties to prevent and address pollution and environmental harm. Failure to do so can result in fines or imprisonment, and those responsible may be held liable for environmental damage.
The DA said it remains committed to protecting residents and holding those responsible accountable.
“We will not allow the health and livelihoods of our people to be put at risk,” the party said.
Photographs: DA EC/Supplied
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