VEREENIGING - The Emfuleni Municipality is facing another legal headache, this time, for allegedly contaminating the Vaal River.
The embattled municipality has been slapped with dozens more charges for allegedly spilling raw sewage into the river.
Its Municipal Manager was hauled before the Vereeniging magistrate’s court to answer to the allegations.
Between 2018 and 2024, multiple sites were identified as sources of pollution.
In a statement, the municipality rejected claims of worsening sewage pollution.
It dismissed Freedom Front Plus and AfriForum, calling the organisations’ accusations misleading and damaging.
But the Freedom Front Plus is standing firm.
The charges carry a fine of up to R10-million each or 10 years’ imprisonment.
READ: Despite court case, Emfuleni continues to pollute the Vaal River
Despite legal action, little has changed.
Raw sewage still floods streets and people’s homes, with no relief in sight.
The case has now been postponed to 1 September for full disclosure of the docket.
But while the case builds, the river keeps flowing.
- eNCA's Manqoba Mchunu reports.