West Rand Municipality fined for environmental offences
The West Rand City Local Municipality has been fined R10 million for breaching the National Environmental Management Act.
The fine was imposed on the municipality by the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says R7 million of the fine was suspended for a period of five years on the condition that the municipality was not convicted of any further offences.
She says the municipality had entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State, thus pleading guilty to the failure to comply with the provisions of the water-use license.
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It also pleaded guilty to failing to prevent the untreated wastewater from spilling into water resources such as the Elandsvlei Spruit, Third Boat Fountain, and Rietspruit River.
“Poor operation and maintenance of the Rand Waste Water Treatment Works plant placed the environment, human and animal life in harm’s way following the discovery of spillage containing high amounts of E.coli, faecal coliform, and suspended solids,” Mjonondwane says.
The matter was reported to police following several complaints from farmers in the area as well as from the Department of Water and Sanitation.
