Soldiers to protect Vaal River for the next year
Soldiers from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to the Vaal River System for 12 months following several incidents of vandalism and theft.
The soldiers’ main task is to rehabilitate the pollution-plagued Vaal River.
The South African Human Rights Commission recently expressed its concern over sewerage spilling into the Vaal River.
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“Basically, rejuvenating and rehabilitating the Vaal river system. The Army deployed soldiers to assist restoring the dysfunctional plant and substation at the Vaal river,” SANDF spokesperson, Joy Nonzukiso Peter.
According to Peter, some of the pump stations in the Emfuleni Municipality have been fingered in the pollution of water.
“They will be at the Vaal river system for a year,” says Peter, adding that the deployment will include soldiers with engineering experience.
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The area has also been marred with criminal activities.
“What has been the main concern for the army is the vandalism and theft of the equipment.”