Maranyane Ngwanaanotho
4 November 2009
Maun residents have accused the newly opened Letsholathebe Hospital of polluting Thamalakane River.
The residents say the hospital is a threat to their health because it is releasing sewage into their source of water and food. "We use this river for fishing, farming, human consumption and other recreational purposes," said a resident on condition of anonymity.
She expressed fears that they might get sick from using water from the river. She said their children might catch infections when playing in the water.
"There have been dead fish along the river banks that could have died from the substances disposed into the river though we cannot prove it. Now we are worried that anything can happen anytime," she said. She stated that the pollutions of the river poses a risk to their livestock.
It is alleged that besides sewage from Letsholathebe Hospital, effluent from Chobe township also flow into the river. Sources in Maun told Mmegi that members of the public have approached an environmental affairs officer on several occasions to discuss the matter but promises that something will be done have not been honoured.
However, Letsholathebe Hospital Superintendent, Maxwell Mungisi has denied that they are polluting the river. He said they will not in anyway jeopardise the health of the people.
He said sewage is disposed into the river but only after it has been treated. He said that solid waste is taken to a landfill in the village.
He explained that the waste discharged in the river has been tested and prove to be safe.
"This treated water is actually safer than the river water," he said. He added that they are surprised that residents are panicking about the discharge yet they are usually educated about health matters through Kgotla meetings and hospital advisory committees.
He said they never received any complains from the public about the pollution.
Yamasa Kabelo, an officer at the government Department of Waste and Pollution Control has said it is against the law for individuals, organisations and companies to dispose water or any objects into a source of fresh water, even if it has been processed through a sewage plant system.
The discharge into a fresh water source can only be done after the waste has been tested and permitted by the Waste and Pollution Control Department.
He said treated sewage may be used for other purposes that do not involve human consumption.
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