The FF Plus has requested the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Lebogang Maile, to compel the Ekurhuleni Metro Council and Rand Water to immediately provide clarity on why there are water shortages in the area.
In a media release issued on the 26th of August (last month), the Ekurhuleni Metro Council asked the residents of Germiston, Kempton Park, Thembisa, Daveyton, Etwatwa and Tsakane to use water sparingly. In the interim, the list of affected areas has been expanded to include 29 residential areas.
The explanation provided by Rand Water that the demand for water exceeds the supply and as a result, the water levels of the Eikenhof, Palmiet and Mapleton reservoirs are critically low is simply unacceptable.
The FF Plus is of the opinion that these water problems started much earlier seeing as various calls were received from upset Germiston residents who had indicated at the time that they had been without water for nine days already.
Water supply was restored for a short period of time yesterday, but the taps dried up again soon after.
In the FF Plus's view, there is more to the water shortages in Ekurhuleni than Rand Water is letting on.
Rand Water and the Metro Council must play open cards with Ekurhuleni residents and the MEC must put pressure on these two entities to come up with short- and long-term solutions to address the water crisis and prevent it from happening again.
According to the Constitution, having access to water is a fundamental human right and, therefore, the problem must be dealt with as a top priority.
The FF Plus will keep putting pressure on the MEC, the Ekurhuleni Metro Council and Rand Water to take appropriate action and to resolve the problem as soon as possible.
Contact details: 072 217 1951
