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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
GWANDA Municipality has been fined $300 for discharging sewage from their pump stations into water sources in the town.
The municipality which was represented by chamber secretary, Mr Hlupho Mhlanga, pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening the Environmental Management Act before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda.
The municipality was ordered to pay a $300 fine.
Mrs Sibanda also ordered the council to rectify the issue as it posing a threat to the environment and people.
Prosecuting, Miss Faith Mutukwa said the municipality discharged effluent into Manzamyama Stream and Mtshabezi River.
She said the offence was discovered by inspectors from the Environmental Management Agency.
“On 7 June inspectors from the Environmental Management Agency carried out an inspection at Manzamnyama Stream and they discovered that Gwanda Municipality was discharging effluent into Manzamnyama Stream through sewage effluent overflow at their main pump station and Phakama pump station.
“During their inspection they also discovered that the municipality was also discharging effluent from Mount Cazalet pump station and north pump station into Mtshabezi River. The EMA inspectors requested the municipality to produce an effluent discharge licence but they didn’t have any.
“The matter was reported to the police,” she said.
In mitigation, Mr Mhlanga said the municipality had not discharged the effluent into the water sources on purpose.
He said their system was powered by electricity and due to the prevailing severe power cuts the system was failing, causing an overflow.
Mhlanga pleaded with the court to give the municipality time to rectify the problem.
“We don’t deny that the effluent went into the overflow but the court should understand that out system is powered by electricity.
“If there is no electricity the system will cause an overflow.
“When load shedding isn’t as excessive as now, our systems function normally. We appreciate that it’s our mandate to address this problem and efforts are underway to rectify the situation.
“We ask the court to give us time to address the problem as we are trying to acquire an alternative power source.
“We are a responsible local authority and we have a duty to protect the residents we serve,” he said. – @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter