The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Emfuleni has submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission (HRC), against the Emfuleni Local Municipality, following their failure to resolve a water crisis that has been going on for numerous weeks in France, Extension 2, Boipatong.
Since the day the Emfuleni Local Municipality announced a water shutdown to allow Metsi-a-Lekoa to complete planned maintenance, their taps ran dry. Once completed, water should have been restored.
Once the work was completed, those close to the pipe replacement were left with low water supply and most of the other households in the high-density area were left without water for two weeks.
Residents were forced to buy water, many of whom barely have enough money to make it as is. This is not just an indictment against shoddy workmanship, but against an uncaring municipality who seemingly goes out of its way to make life more difficult for its residents.
Beyond our complaint to the Human Rights Commission, we demand to know:
- If the contractor who was appointed was indeed qualified to carry out the work;
- Whether the contractor has a proven track record of previously having done this type of work; and finally,
- Why was the community left without water for weeks on end.
The DA will always be on the side of good governance, something that has long since been forgotten in the Emfuleni Local Municipality.