ANC must stop talking and actively start implementing measures against pollution
25 November 2015
The ANC government has a lot to say about climate change, but it is the biggest culprit with regards to the pollution of the country’s rivers as a result of poor and incompetent municipal managers who allow raw sewerage to be dumped in rivers,” Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on environmental affairs says.
Dr. Groenewald today during the parliamentary debate on climate change said that the ANC discusses the issue a lot and even attend international conferences about it, which is all good and well. Talking alone however does not help at all if something concrete is not done about the problem.
“I am aware that even scientists differ about global warming and climate change. Regardless of these different opinions, we know that climate change is a reality. We are currently experiencing it in South Africa with a severe drought.
“In the world various problems can be noticed. There are unusual snow storms, floods and areas that become arid areas. It is a reality. That is why the time has come for the ANC government to realise that it doesn’t help to just talk about the problem.
“The biggest culprit in South Africa with regards to the pollution of the country’s natural resources is government itself where weak municipal managers just allow raw sewerage to pollute our rivers.
“The only thing the ANC government does about it is to talk about it. The minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms. Edna Molewa, can tell us whether she discusses it with her colleagues, the minister of water and sanitation, Ms. Nomvula Mokonyane, or the minister of cooperative government, Mr. Pravin Gordhan.
“I personally asked the minister of water and sanitation to institute an audit into municipalities about the dumping of sewerage. I am still waiting for a reply.
“The ANC should stop the sweet talk about the issue. Please do something about it. I agree that we only have planet earth that can ensure our survival. But you are complicit in destroying it with the poor management of local governments which allow structures to collapse,” Dr. Groenewald said.
Issued by Dr Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Environmental Affairs, 25 November
