KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Municipality has been fined R10m after being found guilty of 11 environmental law violations linked to years of sewage pollution flowing into rivers and the Knysna estuary.

The matter was heard in the Knysna Regional Court, where the municipality pleaded guilty to contraventions of the National Environmental Management Act and the Waste Act. 

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the charges stemmed from sewage spills and failures at municipal infrastructure which negatively impacted the environment and nearby communities.

The court suspended the R10m fine for five years on condition that the municipality spends the same amount on emergency repairs and environmental rehabilitation projects within agreed deadlines. 

As part of the court order, the municipality has been instructed to repair the waste treatment facility near the Knysna harbour, install lockable manhole covers along the Bigai River and clean informal settlements situated along riverbanks.

The municipality’s waste treatment facility was also criticised for inadequate infrastructure, pest infestations, foul odours affecting nearby businesses and waste being openly dumped on the ground.

Further long-term interventions ordered by the court include the construction of two new waste treatment plants and the procurement of new vehicles and equipment by 2030. 

In a press statement issued by the NPA, Ntabazalila said the sentence was intended to ensure the municipality complies with environmental legislation while addressing long-standing infrastructure failures that contributed to ongoing pollution in the area.

The Knysna-Plett Herald has requested direct comment from the municipality regarding the fine and court proceedings. 

An update will be provided once a response is received.

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