The pollution of the river systems in the Harding district has been an ongoing problem with sewage spillages for the past five years, and it has worsened recently.

Resident and farmer, Bertie Strydom said the situation is so serious that rivers in the area are so toxic mainly the Umzimkhulwana River which runs through the nature reserve and many farms, and into the Mzimkhulu River.

“I lost cattle in 2019, I complained on many occasions about the pollution. Ugu has never come forward and played a positive role in this matter. They have excuses but don’t fix the problem properly. I have suffered dearly with losses over the years as the river flows through my farm. In 2019, 14 calves were stillborn and six adult cows died. Last week with the recent sewage spill I lost four cows and I believe this is due to the pollution.”

In 2019, Bertie had the stillborn calves tested by a veterinary department in Kokstad and the results revealed that the calves died from a bacterial enterococcus faecalis.

He added that the pump station at Harding overflows, is not manned or secured and sewage has been flowing for days.

Ugu spokesperson, France Zama said investigations showed that during loadshedding pumps cease to operate.

“Mechanical and electrical components were stolen, including back-up generator parts that are essential to ensure operations continue running smoothly. A case of theft was at the time opened at Harding Saps.”

Since Tuesday this week two Vacuum Tanker Services (VTS) trucks from a service provider and one from Ugu were on site minimising spillage.

Ugu District Municipality has since appointed security officers to safeguard the pump station in Harding.

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