Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
| by Reinette Liebenberg MPL – DA Northern Cape Constituency Head of Central Norther Constituency Error! Filename not specified.Date: 21 August 2019Release: Immediate The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Northern Cape is deeply saddened by the tragic death of a seven-year old boy who drowned in a pit of sewage at the Carnarvon Sewerage Works just over a week ago.Our prayers go out to the family of the deceased child, who have lost a loved one in such a horrific and unthinkable way, and who will be burying their son this coming weekend.The incident occurred on Sunday, 10th August 2019, when the young boy apparently accessed the site of the sewerage works. While the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, it is believed that he went for a swim in the sewage water before drowning. It was only possible to recover the boy’s body the following day, as the services of the SAPS diving unit had to be called in to assist.It is uncertain as to how the boy gained entry to the site, as it is fenced off and access is meant to be controlled by an electric gate, operated by an official on duty.The incident should serve as an urgent wake-up call to all municipalities to urgently improve the security and management of all sewerage works sites.With the weather warming up, pools of sewage are alluring to young children who do not realize the dangers of swimming in raw sewage and are seeking to cool down and have fun.The incident should also serve as warning to all municipalities to urgently eradicate the random dams of raw sewage that have pooled up in and around housing settlements due to poor maintenance and lack of upgrades to sewerage infrastructure.Just two days ago, DA MPL Harold McGluwa exposed an open dam of raw sewage in the veld in Dawid Kruiper municipality, warning that it must be urgently attended to before it results in tragedy, either by way of drowning or sickness. Following the recent devastating incident, the urgency of taking action cannot be underplayed.In the coming weeks, the DA will prioritize oversight inspections of the Carnarvon Sewerage Works, as well as other facilities across the province.Municipalities and COGHSTA should no longer take it for granted that open pools of sewage will repel people. No child or adult should have access to sewage pits, pools and rivers and government must do everything in its power to ensure that sewerage infrastructure is managed to service the people, not endanger the lives of communities. Media Enquiries Reinette Liebenberg MPLDA Northern Cape Constituency Head of Central Norther Constituency071 733 2640 Shelley De WittResearcher082 847 1387 |
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