The Department of Water and Sanitation made its intentions obvious by fining Nigel Blaker, an Estcourt farmer, R1.5 million for illegally utilizing water.
The infringement of the National Water Act incurred the administration cost. Blaker violated the law and violated the terms of his water usage license when he constructed an unlawful dam on a piece of his Winchester property beyond the permitted border. This was done without authorization from the department.
The farm is situated in KwaZulu-Pongola Natal’s and uMzimkhulu water management district.
The agency stated, “The illegal activity was discovered during a compliance monitoring inspection conducted in 2018, and a notice of intent to issue a directive in accordance with section 53[1] [a] of the National Water Act of 1998 was subsequently issued.”
Later, an order was issued requiring Mr. Blaker to cease illegal water usage and dismantle the illegal dam.
The agency initiated a criminal complaint against the farmer at the Estcourt police station after exhausted all other options.
Thandi Mopai, director for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement at the department, stated, “On 19 January 2023, Mr. Blaker paid an administrative fee of R1.5 million to the department’s account as a result of a mediation agreement between Mr. Blaker and the department.”
The parties also agreed that Blaker will submit an application for water usage authorization for the unlawful dam within sixty days, according to standard procedures.
According to the department, this is part of its ongoing efforts as a regulator of the water and sanitation sector to root out and eradicate all unauthorized and unlawful usage of water resources.
»Department punishes an Estcourt farmer R1.5 million for improper water usage«