Stellenbosch Municipality said it is proud of its transparent and collaborative approach with all stakeholders, including Afriforum.
The Municipality said it is aware of the ongoing campaign and attacks launched by Afriforum against the Municipality, targeting its integrity, and the quality of work performed at its Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).
This follows the submission of a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request, by AfriForum, on the 29 September 2023, seeking comprehensive information beyond just water quality results.
The Municipality said it has processed this request in accordance with legal requirements, providing all information legally permissible while withholding certain confidential documents.
In a statement, the Municipality detailed events leading to the fallout as “on 10 August 2023, the Municipality welcomed Afriforum representatives for a constructive meeting where relevant issues were openly discussed. During this engagement, Afriforum offered support services, which the Municipality politely declined, as we are bound by applicable procurement legislation. Afriforum followed up with a letter on 14 August 2024, to which the Municipality reiterated the importance of transparent procurement processes.”
The Municipality said the Stellenbosch Wastewater Treatment Works is fully compliant with the National Water Act and is audited and monitored by various independent organizations.
It also said it welcomes any test results which we can compare with its own for a specific period and taken at specific locations.
“We are confident of our plant’s treated effluent. It is very dangerous to create an impression of poor quality of treated effluent.”
Picture: Supplied