Organisations pressurise City of Cape Town to clean Black River

By Henry Booysen
06 December 2007

Organisations such as What-On-Earth-Is-Happening are placing the City of Cape Town under pressure by saying that the levels of e.coli bacteria and phosphorus are so high in the Black river that it actually could catch fire.

Charlene Smith of the organisation says that many organisations are putting in their best to clean up the river.

“On Saturday Deputy – Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom will be assisting in the clean of the Black River. This river is so dangerous to the people, but there is so much phosphorous in the river that it is at risk of setting itself alight and burning because it is so filthy,” says Smith.

The ward councillor who is responsible for the river Councillor Brian Watkyns said that he has been worried about the Black River as it has been deteriorating.

“Part of the problem is that there is an ageing sewerage system which is causing sewerage to overflow into the Black River,” says Cllr Watkyns.