The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, should urgently intervene in the water crisis once again affecting the residents of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality (Allanridge, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus, Ventersburg, Virginia, Welkom).
The FF Plus insisted in a letter to the Minister that she visit the Municipality, where residents have not had water supply for ten days, to experience the crisis for herself and take the necessary action.
The relevant water board, Vaal Central, cut water supply to the Municipality on 29 October to perform urgent repairs on its Saaiplaas pipeline near Virginia. And the Municipality’s taps have been running dry ever since.
Matjhabeng and Vaal Central’s silence on the matter is only fuelling residents’ frustration.
Clearly, the relationship between the Municipality and the water board has become increasingly strained. Matjhabeng’s astronomical outstanding debt of R6,9 billion means that the water board cannot fulfil its obligations.
Matjhabeng’s repayment agreement of R12 million per month with the water board is simply not enough to cover Vaal Central’s operating costs.
Meanwhile, residents, many of whom buy prepaid water, are being denied their constitutional right to have access to clean water.
Although the Department of Water and Sanitation tried to intervene in August this year, its attempt clearly did not bear any fruit.
The Minister has no choice but to intervene in the ongoing crisis and offer residents viable solutions.
The FF Plus maintains that water supply should be a top priority for the Municipality and national government.
The time has come to restore and rebuild our communities.
