Calls for investigation into uMhlanga Lagoon fish kill

Ward 35 councillor Nicole Bollman says reports have revealed the presence of black sludge flowing from the decommissioned uMhlanga Waste Water Treatment Works.

 "When I went there, absolutely nothing was working. Earlier this year, there was a contractor that was awarded that job to clean and rectify those ponds.

 I'm a little concerned they are doing the sneaky sneaky, where people are offloading this black sludge that actually should be dug up and taken to a landfill.

 But I also know that they didn't have a licence to do that."

 She says they have written to the eThekwini city manager calling for accountability and clarity.

READ: Call for information in Umhlanga fish kill probe

 Aquatic scientist and director at GroundTruth Dr Mark Graham says they have carried out their own investigation.

 He says they there were concerns over a possible link to the UPL spill during the 2021 July unrest.

 Graham says however their report has cleared the chemical plant of involvement.

 "We found numerous indications of raw sewage running into the estuary.

 Points were discharged from both Phoenix Waste Treatment Works, from the Izinga catchments and the Blackburn pump station and the Umhlanga Wastewater Treatment Works.

 The quality from there was failing on numerous water and sanitation discharge limits that were put in place by national government in terms of operating these works.

 Newswatch has reached out to eThekwini Municipality for comment.