Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 5 March 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The ministers of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, announced that the spraying of glyphosate in the Vaal River has been suspended. The two ministers established a technical task team led by Rand Water management following public concerns relating to the use of glyphosate on the water lettuce in the river. The department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, says in the medium term, compliance and enforcement interventions will be intensified against the sources of pollution which are driving this situation:

# The DA in the Northern Cape has joined forces with the South African Human Rights Commission to support a private litigation matter over Kimberley’s growing sewerage crisis. The Sol Plaatje Municipality is being sued by the landowners of Kamfers Dam over the dysfunctionality of the Homevale waste water treatment plant. The DA’s Delmaine Christians says the municipality’s failure to get the plant operational is central to the growing sewage spills along the R31 and the N12, and the extremely high water levels at Kamfers Dam:

# And finally: The City of Cape Town says it is taking advantage of valuable opportunities to engage young minds on the issue of waste and to encourage them to be part of the solution, through education. The city’s Urban Waste Management Waste awareness team recently visited iKhwezilesizwe Primary School in Khayelitsha, to provide valuable education about recycling at schools. Mayoral committee member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, says the city’s anti-litter mascot, Bingo, has been a great help:

Stay tuned for more news………….