Success: AfriForum forces municipality to supply water

16 March 2021  

AfriForum today achieved a huge victory for residents of Naboomspruit after the organisation urgently approached the Limpopo High Court in Pietersburg (Polokwane) to force the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality to supply water to Naboomspruit (Mookgophong), Roedtan and Thusang on a sustainable basis. The municipality didn’t oppose the application.

The court order stipulates that the two boreholes that was sunk in the Nyl valley, as well as the two replacement boreholes, should be set up and connected to the water network within 10 days. Water pumps of sufficient size and pumping capability to supply the daily allowed water quota also have to be installed at the Welgevonden Dam.

According to the court order, the municipality should also ensure that there are enough spare parts available in order for repairs on the water or electricity supply infrastructure, should it become necessary. Parts that were used for repairs also have to be replaced two weeks after use. The court order also specifies that Meluse Malanga (the acting Municipal Manager) and the municipality should ensure that bore hole pumps that supply water to Naboomspruit, Roedtan and Thusang are equipped with generators to allow water supply during power outages.

“Residents have a constitutional right to clean water. It is very concerning that a court has to instruct a municipality to deliver these services. Towns are plagued by water supply problems and we hope that this victory will make a difference,” says Magdel Jansen van Vuuren, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Limpopo.

Should the municipality ignore the court order, AfriForum will bring a follow-up application to ensure water supply.

“The events in Koster have taught us that communities can no longer ignore municipal deterioration and will have to find other ways to supply services. Pionier (a services company) is geared to ensure sustainable water supply services in communities,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager for Environmental Affairs.

On 15 March, the branch in Naboomspruit also erected an emergency water supply point in Roedtan for residents to have access to water during power outages. AfriForum will continue to utilise the organisation’s strategy to fight and build, to ensure sustainable water supply for residents.

Issued by Carina Bester, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 16 March 2021