AfriForum submits Paia application against eThekwini Metro

AfriForum brought an application against the eThekwini Metro in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) on 7 October. AfriForum demands a report on the damage caused by the floods, a timetable for repairing said damage and a report on the disaster fund for the April 2022 floods. This follows a series of requests sent to the metro to no avail.

“Durban and the surrounding communities experienced floods, which caused serious damage. It is unacceptable that essential infrastructure isn’t repaired immediately. Raw sewage flows into rivers and eventually into the sea, and as a result, beaches must be closed,” says Eugene van Aswegen, Provincial Coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal.

AfriForum recently also filed criminal charges against the eThekwini Metro for sewage pollution. At the same time, AfriForum filed complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). Manholes that overflow and are reported do not receive attention.

“At Winkelspruit, a sewage manhole has been overflowing for some time, and the sewage even flows into apartments,” says Jannie van Staden, Chairperson of the Amanzimtoti branch.

“I receive complaints daily from our members in the Queensburgh and Pinetown area of sewage polluting rivers. It’s incomprehensible that this problem doesn’t receive the attention it deserves,” says Reinette Mostert, Chairperson of the Durban West branch.

“According to the eThekwini Metro’s annual financial report of 2020/21, the metro’s property tax contribution to the metro’s budget is R 9,2 billion. Thus, there can be no excuse for not doing the repairs. According to our Constitution, everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and the protection of the environment,” concludes Van Aswegen.

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