AfriForum tests water, repairs potholes in Bethal

Bethal’s AfriForum branch tested the town’s drinking water this week as part of its blue and green drop project, and also repaired about 80 potholes as part of the branch’s long-term pothole project.

The water tests showed that the drinking water is safe to use. Water was tested at various public buildings, as well as at various points along the Blesbokspruit and the Bethal Dam.

“We confirmed Bethal’s drinking water to be clean and without any heavy metals, and that bacteria levels adhere to set standards. AfriForum will continuously test the water quality to protect residents’ constitutional rights and to ensure that they are provided with clean drinking water,” says Ingrid Human, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Bethal branch.

The civil rights organisation raised its concerns about the sewage water that does not adhere to set standards, however.

“Sewage plants need urgent attention; AfriForum plans to investigate as soon as possible and to take the necessary steps,” says Hillel Coetzer, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Mpumalanga West.

AfriForum’s national blue and green drop project focuses on the state of towns’ drinking water and sewage plants. The project does not necessarily focus on the state of the plants themselves, but rather on the quality of water delivered at the end of the process in the form of drinking water (blue drop) and treated sewage (green drop).

“We encourage Bethal residents to give AfriForum the mandate to test water quality on a continuous basis,” says Theuns Langenhoven, the branch’s Chairperson for Environmental Affairs.

The branch also repaired about 80 potholes in front of the Silwerjare Tuiste vir Bejaardes in Du Plooy Street.

According to Coetzer, potholes are a major concern in Bethal. Requests to the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality to address these are yet to be answered.

“It emphasises the importance of AfriForum’s different self-do projects. Communities should be less dependent on Government and become more self-sustainable,” Coetzer concludes.

AfriForum plans to launch many similar projects in this town, and encourages members to become involved.

• Blue and green drop project: SMS “Bethal” to 45350 (R1) to support this project.
• Pothole project: Become involved in the branch activities by sending an SMS with “Skoon” to 45350 (R1).