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09 November 2018
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Story Charlene Stanley
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Photo Charlene Stanley
Dr Tseliso Ntili, HOD of the Free State Department of Water and Sanitation, warns that pollution caused by mismanagement of municipal water-treatment works puts severe pressure on the province’s water security.
“Despite our water challenges, Bloemfontein will never become a second Cape Town.” This firm assurance was given by Dr Tseliso Ntili, HOD of the Free State Department of Water and Sanitation, during his presentation at the recent regional seminar of the Faculty of Law’s Environmental Law Association.
The theme of the seminar was Water Quality and Water Security in Bloemfontein and was attended by staff and students from the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, as well as relevant role players from private, business, and government sectors.
Not enough water for city’s needs
Water restrictions in some form do seem to remain part of our future landscape though, as Dr Ntsili explained that the city’s current water yield of 218 megalitres per day still fell short of the demand of 259 megalitres per day.
Pollution and mismanagement at municipal level
He pointed out that a big cause for concern was that 75% of the Free State’s waste-water treatment works were dysfunctional. Housekeeping and security at these plants are often severely neglected. Yet, it is difficult for the Department of Water and Sanitation to act against offending municipalities.
“In intra-governmental disputes, the courts must be satisfied that organs of state have taken all reasonable steps to settle contentions – which can be a time-consuming process,” he explained.
Dr Ntsili said that the Caledon River System’s dwindling water levels due to low rainfall and siltation was also a concern, but that plans were underway to supplement the water supply to Bloemfontein via the Gariep Dam by 2026.
However, he warned that poor water management could drastically affect these long-term plans.
“If we can’t manage pollution, the cost will be high. Water security will be challenged, and we will have water shortages – not because of drought, but because of negligence.”
Student protest against integration of the Main Campus residences
2008-02-21
The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) is extremely concerned about the actions of some of our students who have committed public violence, crimen injuria and damage to property last night (Wednesday, 20 February 2008) on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
The management condemns these criminal acts in the strongest terms. We are concerned about what appears to be an orchestrated campaign to frustrate the implementation of the new residence policy on diversity.
We remain committed to ensuring a safe campus for staff and students to engage in the academic activities of the UFS and will take the necessary legal steps to avoid a repeat of these incidents.
Normal academic and other activities are continuing and have not been disrupted. We are appealing to all staff and students to remain calm.
We note the contents of a memorandum that was handed to the management regarding the integration of our student residences.
We remain committed to the implementation of the Council approved policy on increasing diversity in our residences as part of a new institutional culture for the UFS.
We also remain committed to engaging with students on these and other matters. In fact, several meetings have taken place over the past few weeks with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and with primes about student issues.
We would like to appeal to student leaders to follow the established channels to address their concerns.
These channels have been successful in the past in addressing student concerns and we see no reason why they cannot succeed in the current situation.
The management will meet with student leaders as soon as is possible to engage with students on these matters.
However we want to reiterate that criminal behaviour and misconduct will not be tolerated.
Media Release
Issued by: Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za
21 February 2008