Fish tales and sewage fails: A South African town's cry for clean water
A resident of Komatipoort in South Africa turned on the faucet in her kitchen and was surprised to see a live fish come out. This incident, however, is no laughing matter for her and her neighbours. There is an ongoing sewage crisis in the Nkomazi municipality, a popular tourist destination to which Komatipoort belongs. Appeals to the authorities have so far been ignored.
"Although tiny, it was unmistakably alive and well" said Lene Roux, the chairperson of the Komatipoort Concerned Residents Association. The fish came out of her very own faucet.
The residents of Komatipoort didn't find the fish incident amusing as they have been struggling with sewage leaks for years. These leaks contaminate their drinking water. The community relies heavily on tourists since Komatipoort serves as the entrance to South Africa's renowned Kruger National Park.
"The stench from the sewage spills was at times so bad that guests staying at Roux’s guest house in Komatipoort refused to eat in the dining room," Roux has repeatedly told South African media outlets.
Due to the contamination, one of the apartment buildings was evacuated. To access the grocery store, patrons had to navigate through sewage. The pollution has also ruined a vegetable garden maintained collectively by the residents. The Crocodile River, which encircles the town, turned into a cesspool, causing all its namesake creatures to flee, as noted by disillusioned tourists.
Residents seek assistance from the Supreme Court
After the Nkomazi municipality officials ignored their pleas, the Komatipoort Concerned Residents Association turned to the Supreme Court for help.
The situation garnered widespread attention across South Africa, with the fish incident becoming critical evidence to convince the court that the town's water supply system requires immediate repair. The court was convinced, and on April 21st, it ordered the municipality, the municipal manager, and the mayor to address the sewage leakage issue urgently.
The defendants were set to report their actions to the court within 21 days.
The deadline is this Sunday, yet the municipality has failed to address the contamination. In their desperation, the residents have declared they will return to court seeking authorization to assume control over the sewage treatment and clean water supply.
