Question NW1237 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
28 July 2020 - NW1237
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether she can intervene in the concerns of a community of Schauderville in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape on the complaints of health hazards caused by sewerage water emanating from a vandalised swimming pool at a certain site (name furnished) close to the Frank Joubert Primary School exposing children to the dangers of the health hazard and criminal activities over the past 20 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether her department monitors provincial governments when they appoint the services of local qualified and competent contractors from the communities to fix or replace sewerage lines and stormwater lines; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she has been informed that the soil at the specified site contains items of relics dating back to the 1800s; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1603E
Reply:
(1) Yes. The sewage spillage was not coming from the abandoned swimming pool, but from a leaking bulk sewer line located in the valley nearby. The bulk sewer line has since beenfixed and the spillage cleared.
(2) No. In this regard, provincial governments are not responsible for fixing or replacing sewerage lines and stormwater lines. In this case, sewer blockages are cleared by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, utilizing internal staff. Where external support is required, services are procuredfrom service providers in terms of relevant supply chain management policies.
(3) No. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is also not aware of any old relics items at the specified site. However, it would be appreciated if more information could be provided in this regard for further investigation by the relevant department.
End.