Dear Editor
A parliamentary reply from the Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Developmental Affairs, Anton Bredell, on the penalties associated with the National Environmental Management Act, the installation of strategic stormwater outlets, timelines associated with directives issued by his department, and future engagements with the relevant stakeholders was received.
The questions were submitted following an oversight visit with the Chairperson of the Standing Committee, Andricus van der Westhuizen, on 31 August 2022, to the Milnerton Canoe Club, Erica Road Outlet and Theo Marais Canal. The questions were submitted on 9 September 2022.
The responses, received on 23 September 2022, explained that:
• The City of Cape Town had experienced City’s Supply Chain Management challenges causing delays in the installation of strategic stormwater outlets to trap general waste by 30 November 2021. The Provincial Department has, through their quarterly engagements with the City of Cape Town, instructed the city to conduct regular clean-ups of the relevant stormwater outlets and to provide updates in their progress reports.
• On the implementation of the Estuary Rehabilitation Plan, which acknowledges that the catchment ecosystem collapsed and needs urgent intervention, it was explained that the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is the competent authority for approving and monitoring compliance.
• The NEMA does not provide for administrative fines or penalties, however, the penalties stipulated within the modified Directive issued by the Provincial Government relate to criminal offences in the event of non-compliance. Currently, the matter is in the Administrative Enforcement process.
• The response by the Department further highlighted that it continues to conduct and participate in quarterly engagements with the National Department of Water and Sanitation, the national Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and the City of Cape Town.
The question of approving and monitoring the Estuary Management Plan will be referred to the relevant National Department. A further request for information on what steps is being taken by the National Department concerning the monitoring of licenses issued to water treatment plants will be raised.
Going forward, the City of Cape Town will be hosting its second quarterly Milnerton Lagoon Meeting, together with local community stakeholders, on 29 November. The focus of the meeting will be on short-term interventions and communicating the current water quality results.
The DA commends both the City of Cape Town, under the leadership of Mayoral Committee Member, Zahid Badroodien, and Provincial Minister, Anton Bredell, for the important work they are doing to urgently intervene in and address the serious social and environmental challenges faced by Diep River and its surrounds.
Regards
Cayla Murray MPP
DA Constituency Head, Durbanville-Blaauwberg 2
