An abattoir in Villiers,Free State had its pumping facilities dismantled by officials of the Blue Scorpions, an enforcement unit of the Department of Water and Sanitation,  for operating without a water use license.

Accompanied by the police, the enforcement unit also laid criminal charges against Chris Le Roux, owner of the abattoir, for allegedly polluting the Vaal River by dumping animal carcasses and fat remnants next to the river.

By so doing Le roux was in violation of the National Water Act which precludes anyone from dumping waste within the perimeters of a river. Le Roux is also facing a charge of violating the water act by allegedly operating his business without a water use license.

The Head of the Blue Scorpions, Nigel Adams, first read Le Roux his rights before officials of the enforcement unit dismantled his illegal facilities. Le Roux watched helplessly as the facilities, including a water pump and an electricity outlet were being dismantled.

Adams said Le Roux had ample time to comply with a directive that was issued last year to stop his illegal activity or face the consequences. “Charges laid against Le Roux may result in him paying a stiff fine or being sentenced to a maximum five year prison term,” Adams said.

Through Focus Week, the department has targeted certain industries in parts of the country that are operating their business without a valid water use license for commercial purposes. The week forms part of Enforcement Month, an initiative of the department to display zero tolerance towards illegal water abstraction and the pollution of water resources.

The Focus Week started last week Monday with Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, leading the Blue Scorpions in a lightning raid on a farm outside Kimberly in Northern Cape where a businessman allegedly diverted water from a river to conduct a small mining enterprise.