The water crisis plaguing Glenharvie in the Rand West Local Municipality (Randfontein, Westonaria) for the past 23 days is now spreading to surrounding areas.
Today, Venterspost and Zuurbekom’s taps have begun to run dry as well.
On Tuesday, frustrated residents held a protest march on the N12 between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom to express their dissatisfaction with the situation.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) expects the water problem to continue for some time, as Rand Water has reduced the Municipality’s water supply by 20% and Glenharvie’s two reservoirs are located at the highest point in the municipal area.
Consequently, high-lying areas run out of water first. The reservoirs’ water levels are currently 5% and 25%, respectively.
According to a statement by Rand Water, it will fully restore the Municipality’s water supply once an outstanding amount of R872 million has been paid.
The party has asked the Mayor, William Matsheke, to immediately approach Rand Water and negotiate a payment plan so the area’s water supply can be restored. The Municipality should also honour the agreement and not default on it, as it has done in the past.
Rand Water simply does not have the funds to pay the full outstanding amount.
In addition, the Freedom Front Plus also stressed the urgency of providing enough water to the Combined School in Glenharvie, where matriculants are currently writing their final exams.
The school cannot keep functioning without water, so, the Freedom Front Plus called on the West Rand District Municipality to dispatch more water tankers to the school and clinics in the area.
It is not fair to punish learners, patients and the residents of Glenharvie for the Municipality’s mismanagement.
It is time to oust the ANC from power and elect a new government that puts residents’ wellbeing and basic service delivery first.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep a close eye on the situation and, if nothing improves, ask the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, to intervene.
