Raw sewage was spilling into the Harts River in Vryburg, civil rights group AfriForum said on Monday.

Chairperson Herman Swanepoel said the problem had been going on for six months. “Members of the community have inspected the sewerage works and nothing has changed,.

“Raw sewage is still passing through the plant and being discharged into the Harts River.”

Swanepoel said the Naledi local municipality had assured them that the problem would be resolved by last Thursday. This had not been the case.

“Our constitutional rights are being violated and in terms of the National Water Act, polluting the country’s water resources is a criminal offence,” Swanepoel said.

The Naledi local municipality was not available for comment. – Sapa