The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng demands that Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo urgently intervene in Merafong Local Municipality to provide leadership in financial oversight, and technical skills to repair critical infrastructure. Merafong residents face extreme challenges with sanitation, hygiene, and cooking because of water shortages as Rand Water throttles supply due to unpaid bills.
This municipality owes Rand Water R1.2 billion and faulted on the payment agreement in April, resulting in a 20% cut in its water supply.
This cash-strapped municipality is battling to pay its creditors due to financial mismanagement and maladministration. Years of neglecting its water infrastructure resulted in up to 50% of water losses. From a 70 mega-litre allocation, the municipality loses 30% through leaks, 20% through unmetered use, plus 20% throttling. This leaves half the original supply reaching residents.
Hospitals now struggle with hygiene. Elderly residents carry buckets upstairs. Paying customers queue with those who cannot afford bills – all victims of administrative failure.
The root problem in Merafong is incompetent leadership collapsing this municipality, while Premier Lesufi and COGTA MEC Mamabolo, are not taking decisive action.
Without tangible solutions, action, and intervention, more communities will join the thirsty queue as Rand Water is faced with its maintenance challenges.
It is critical for COGTA to assist with the water shedding schedules during this time of throttling to ensure fair allocation of water and ensure that Rand Water is paid on time to avoid this from happening.
We will continue to fight to ensure that the worst affected residents have access to their fair share of water supply. We will pressure the MEC for COGTA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to ensure an immediate intervention. Should there be no intervention, we will report Merafong Premier Lesufi, and MEC Mamabolo to the South African Human Rights Commission for violating residents’ rights to access water as enshrined in the Constitution.
Water is life, and access to water is a human right Gauteng local and provincial governments must finally act accordingly.