We, the undersigned, wish to express our concern that the Msunduzi Municipality is failing to manage the solid waste and the sewage waste of the greater Pietermaritzburg community, and has been failing to do so for many years.  The evidence that gives rise to our concerns includes:

Increasing levels of E. coli bacteria in our rivers and streams.   The median level of E. coli bacteria in our rivers and streams has increased ten-fold since 2010.  This conclusion is based on the very comprehensive weekly monitoring of the uMsunduzi River and its tributaries which has been carried out by uMngeni-uThukela Water since 1990.  We know of a number of major sewage spills which have run for months and even years without being attended to.

Increasing amounts of rubbish on our streets and in our public spaces.  We are embarrassed at the state of our city and its surrounds, which has become increasingly squalid.  Several parts of our town do not have a functioning waste management service, and informal dumpsites abound.  

If we allow this situation to continue unchecked, the health of our community will suffer and our city’s economy will be badly impacted, causing job losses.

We request that the responsible authorities take urgent and appropriate action to turn this unacceptable situation around.

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This petition is an initiative of the uMsunduzi River Crisis Committee, a coalition of Pietermaritzburg based civic organisations (29 so far).  

David Still is the Chairman of the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust, which was established in 2006 to champion the health of the uMsunduzi and uMngeni Rivers.  He is a professional civil engineer, specialising in water, sanitation and environmental engineering.