CARTE BLANCHE CASE STUDY

In 2010, Carte Blanche, a local investigative journalism programme conducted a case study on South Africa’s Rivers which are under major threat as a result of disintegrating sewage works, increasing informal settlements in their catchment areas and unregulated commercial effluent. (Bingwa, 2010)

The case study looked at how the pollution was affecting people’s health as well as having an impact on water sports along the coast. (Bingwa, 2010)

Carte Blanche investigated a high-profile case from Kwazulu-Natal, where RW Johnson, an established author and historian, nearly died after swimming in the Mpenjati Nature Reserve Lagoon. (Bingwa, 2010)

RW Johnson recounted how he had initially stubbed his toe and had contracted ‘necrotizing fasciitis’, a flesh-eating organism that breeds in sewage and entered his blood stream.  His stubbed toe, manifested from a cut, to an infected wound, to fevers and fainting, and eventually to hospital where his leg was amputated above the knee.  RW Johnson remained unconscious for a month and there was a slim chance of him surviving as 89% of people who contract ‘necrotizing fasciitis’ die. (Bingwa, 2010)

South Africa has 27 “Blue Flag” beaches. Blue Flag is a worldwide non- government, non-profit voluntary organization who works towards sustainable development of beaches with strict criteria involving water quality. This is a major draw card for tourism in our country.

On the contrary, some highly polluted beaches, run by numerous municipalities along the coast of South Africa are in a state of despair. Of Cape Town’s 27 rivers flowing into the coastline, only one of them was 100% safe for recreational use.  A report conducted by the City of Cape Town revealed that the coastal water quality is extremely poor and stands to be a major threat for the citizens as well as the environment. (Bingwa, 2010)

Furthermore, Dr Justin O’Rian, an environmental officer for the Hout Bay Residents Association revealed the detrimental affects the Imizamo Yethu Township has on the river.  He reveals how densely populated the squatter camp is, with insufficient sanitation, and effluent draining off the township and into their river and onto the very popular local Hout Bay beach.  Dr Jo Barnes an Epidemiologist relates the Disa River to that of an “open sewer” after conducting tests. Dr O’Rian’s child spent numerous days on a drip after being in contact with her soiled shoes, which were contaminated.  (Bingwa, 2010)

Reference: Marx, R. (2010). Hout Bay water quality: good news and bad news.Available: http://www.houtbay.org.za/Newsletters/201011_HoutAbout.htm. Last accessed 20/04/2012.

Many residents are outraged by the current situation, which at times has been described as a pandemic.  Dr O’Rian further argues that authorities are aware how hard it is to prove that various illnesses are caught from that specific area, which frustrates residents.

Other problems included the following:  narrow sewage pipes, inadequate funding, blocked drains, lack of maintenance, lack of infrastructure, loss of experienced engineers, overwhelming quantity of sewage, extensive smells as well as insufficient resources.

Jo Barnes recalls a local politician exclaiming “there are no votes in sewage”. Therefore, admitting that political power will only put in effort when there is a political benefit. (Bingwa, 2010)

A follow up on the Carte Blanche investigation was aired in November 2010.  Carte Blanche felt there had been a dramatic improvement with the problem.  The issue was deemed resolved through consistent maintenance, improved equipment, and constant communication amongst municipality and residents.  Scientific studies are being conducted and authorities are admitting to the problem and new pollution control officers have been appointed issuing pollution fines ranging between R1 000 and R800 000, holding culprits of the pollution responsible. (Bingwa, 2010)