Nasty sewage water continues to seep into a large puddle near the entrance of a former school compound in Richmound, a village in southwest Saskatchewan, where a cult resided for the past two years.
Following a recent police raid that drove out the “Kingdom of Canada” cult, Mayor Brad Miller expressed concern about the lingering sewage issue. The foul odor has been a persistent problem, with the stench spreading up to 500 feet on windy days, according to Miller.
The sewage leakage began when the village disconnected the compound’s water and sewage services due to unpaid bills by the property owner, Ricky Manz. Subsequently, cult members resorted to dumping waste water from toilets and sinks around the building.
During a visit to the compound with RCMP to address the sewage problem, Miller found himself grappling with Manz in the contaminated water, leading to a messy altercation. The raid on the compound on September 3 was prompted by reports of a firearm being present inside, resulting in the arrest of Manz, cult leader Romana Didulo, and others.
The village, home to about 200 residents, has endured months of turmoil caused by the cult’s disruptive presence. Miller described the raid as a moment of relief after enduring the cult’s activities, including barricading the compound, intimidating locals, and spreading conspiracy theories online.
Health authorities have deemed the building uninhabitable, prohibiting anyone from residing there. Despite efforts by the village council to address the cult’s presence through legal means, the situation escalated with the cult members’ increased defiance and disruptive behavior.
The cult’s leader, Didulo, has promoted extreme ideologies through social media, urging followers to reject societal norms such as paying taxes and bills. The community’s ordeal with the Kingdom of Canada has left residents anxious about the potential return of the cult.
As the village reflects on the removal of the cult and plans for the future, Mayor Miller remains wary of the cult’s possible resurgence and the challenges it may bring to the community.
The entire ordeal has taken a toll on Miller, who expressed uncertainty about his future as mayor and concern over the possibility of facing the cult’s disruptive presence again.