By Carina Serfontein | DA Councillor Ngwathe Municipality
Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Carina Serfontein and Sesotho soundbite by Jafta Mokoena MPL
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for immediate provincial government intervention to address the worsening water crisis in Koppies, in the Ngwathe Municipality.
This decisive action follows a report from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in November 2024, which found the municipality in violation of constitutional and legislative mandates.
The report highlighted that the persistent lack of access to water breaches residents’ rights under Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution and Regulations 3 and 4 of the Regulations Relating to Compulsory National Standards and Measures to Conserve Water. Furthermore, the municipality was found to contravene Section 11 of the Water Services Act.
The SAHRC instructed the municipality to submit a council-approved plan within three months, outlining how water would be provided to all households in its jurisdiction. However, the Ngwathe Council has yet to receive or consider such a plan, exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
Over the years, water provision to Koppies residents has deteriorated, with the current state seeing daily water shedding as a norm. In the past three weeks alone, residents have been left without water for 8 to 10 hours each day.
The quality of water, when available, remains highly questionable, forcing many residents to purchase bottled water for drinking and cooking. For those who cannot afford bottled water, boiling water has become necessary, adding financial strain to already struggling households.
In desperation, residents have requested water-shedding schedules to plan their daily lives, but the municipality has failed to provide even this basic support.
To address this pressing issue, we have formally requested provincial intervention to ensure sustainable access to clean and sufficient water for the Koppies community. Without this intervention, the health, dignity, and quality of life of Koppies residents will continue to decline.
The DA will continue to advocate for the community, ensuring accountability and tangible action to resolve this crisis.