R1bn needed to stop Vaal River pollution
Deputy President David Mabuza says that R1.1 billion is required from Treasury to deal with pollution in the Vaal River.
Mabuza addressed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday where he answered questions relating to the rural and township economy as well as Eskom.
The deputy president confirmed that a R6 billion proposal has been submitted to Treasury to deal with South Africa’s water pollution as a whole.
“Given the fact that the Vaal River system cuts through and benefits four provinces, it is agreed that a collaborative intergovernmental approach required to holistically respond to the pollution challenges across the entire Vaal River.
“In the Emfuleni Local municipality, the capacity of the waste treatment plants in the area should be augmented. It is estimated that the cost of this project, when it is fully completed, it will cost the country R6 billion and the proposal has been submitted to National Treasury.”
READ: Water and Sanitation deny dispute with SANDF over Vaal clean-up