Tati River No Longer Life Source
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday December 7, 2021 06:00
In the past, there have been concerns over the deterioration of the Tati River and now councillors are stepping in and pushing for the rehabilitation of the river to save its lifespan.
There is clear evidence of complete depletion of the sand in the river, which is causing degradation of the environment and shortening its lifecycle majorly contributed by an increase in urban population and industrialisation.
The river snakes through several villages in North East until it eventually meets Shashe River before both rivers disappear into Limpopo River, which is a source of water for millions of people.
In addition, it has over decades been used as a source of water for agricultural pursuits such as livestock rearing and irrigation, sporting attraction and other activities for inhabitants living within its range. The mighty Tati River has, in its wake, influenced the naming of more political demarcations, commercial enterprises and items of infrastructure than any single natural resource in the Francistown region and perhaps beyond.
When presenting his motion last week, Nyeku said that for years Tati River, which snakes through the second city, has been deteriorating. He stated they have allowed the river to be exploited for financial gain by contractors without managing sand mining.
“Tati River used to be a principal physical feature of the city where patrons used to spend their leisure time. People including students used it as their shortcut to different destinations without fear. Now nobody does that because of the reeds or mini forest,” he further said.
He elaborated that if the sand was not illegally mined they could have used the Tati River for recreational and tourism benefits. He added that the reason to resuscitate it is to preserve their main and only significant natural resource in the city. Nyeku said the motion serves as a deliberate management strategy through a multi-sectoral approach led by the relevant ministry. When speaking to The Monitor, Phillip Matante East councillor emphasised that the biggest threat to the river is illegal sand mining activities carried out for both domestic and industrial use.
He said there is a lucrative market for sand hence more people are harvesting it in large quantities.
He explained that the sand from the riverbed does not only result in muddy water, but has caused the water table in the Tati River and its environs to drop.
Nyeku also mentioned that spilling both chemical and industrial oil in the river is a major contributor to deterioration as such chemicals are toxic and distort the ecosystem.
He indicated that the second city already suffers from a poor water drainage system, especially during the rainy season and if the sand is removed from the riverbed it will cause water to flow very fast resulting in flooding. He also shared that the river is dirty with bushes and tall reeds that even expose people to danger since criminals hide in them.
He highlighted that sewage being deposited into the river is feeding the massive growth of the reeds, which end up consuming a lot of water thus contributing to the drying up of the river. Nyeku called for collective conservation methods of resuscitating the river to keep at bay its imminent death.