Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Suzette Steyn and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
Residents of the Matoding Informal Settlement in Ward 7 of Namahadi, Mafube Local Municipality have been denied access to water for over three months, with some having to resort to crossing a stream of sewerage waste to get to the Wilge River to collect water from other Wards. This pollution of water resources is unacceptable and a violation of basic human rights. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been made aware of this issue after residents received no response from their ANC ward councillors.
The DA conducted oversight in Mafube and has consistently reported service delivery issues to improve the lives of residents. We demand urgent action from the municipality to ensure the provision of clean water to Namahadi residents. The Court Order of Judge van Rhyn, granted on 28 April 2022, which mandates the municipality to cease the spillage of sewage into the Vaal and Wilge Rivers, must be implemented immediately. The Intervention Team tasked with enforcing the Court Order must work with urgency to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect our water resources. Please see pictures here, here, here and here.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Bloem Water and Rand Water have embarked on upgrade projects for the Wastewater Treatment Works in Namahadi and Qhalabotjha, amounting to R106 million. COGTA has allocated an amount of R5 million for the construction of sewer ponds to prevent spillage into the rivers. These initiatives must be expedited to ensure the provision of clean water to all residents.
However, the billing system of the municipality is dysfunctional, leading to flawed account balances and errors, which residents have rightfully disputed and resisted paying. The revenue collection rate continues to fluctuate between 17% and 34%, averaging 24.1%, leaving no room for the municipality to comply with financial obligations and service delivery challenges.
We call on the municipality to prioritise revenue collection and ensure compliance with the Court Order. The lack of service delivery and oversight is affecting the health and well-being of residents. The right to clean water is a basic human right, and it is the duty of the municipality to ensure that it is accessible to all. Failure to do so will have dire consequences for the community and the environment.
The DA urges the municipality to take swift action to provide access to clean water for Namahadi residents, enforce the Court Order, and prioritise revenue collection.