Balfour: Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, Sello Seitlholo, has welcomed the Balfour Magistrate’s Court decision to impose a R160 million fine on Dipaleseng Local Municipality in Mpumalanga for contravening environmental laws, significantly impacting the livelihoods of residents and livestock. The court handed down the judgment on Friday, 15 November, finding the municipality guilty of multiple offences including pollution of water resources and failure to comply with remedial directives.

According to South African Government News Agency, the court found that between December 2018 to August 2023, Dipaleseng Municipality committed environmental misconduct, causing significant pollution. This included disposing of raw blood sewage sludge and untreated affluent into various water sources, affecting areas like Balfour town and Siyathemba township. The pollution led to complaints from the Balfour community about water contamination, resulting in livestock deaths and affecting residents’ livelihoods.

Deputy M
inister Seitlholo described the ruling as pivotal in holding environmental offenders accountable, reaffirming the department’s commitment to enforcing compliance with environmental laws. He emphasized that the R160 million fine serves as a wake-up call to municipalities failing to comply with regulations. Seitlholo assured that firm action will be taken against any entity disregarding its legal obligations.

Investigations by the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs revealed the municipality’s gross misconduct, subjecting Balfour residents to inhumane living conditions due to constant sewage spills. The court found the municipality guilty on all counts, underscoring the seriousness of the offences and reinforcing the department’s resolve to enforce accountability.

The court imposed a R160 million fine, with R40 million suspended for five years, conditional on the municipality not being convicted of further environmental offenc
es. Seitlholo stated that the Department continues to ensure compliance notices are implemented to safeguard the environment and residents’ livelihoods across the country.