High Court ruling a victory for people of Masilonyana

21 July 2016

Today, the Bloemfontein High Court ruled in favour of the DA, denying the Masilonyana Municipality an interdict that would have prevented us from delivering water to residents. 

The municipalities’ water woes started in 2012. Many residents are now without any form of water and the DA stepped in to deliver clean water on a regular basis. The DA has been providing water to residents since 2015 and the municipality was well-aware of this.

On Monday this week, the clearly threatened ANC-led Masilonyana Municipality filed for an urgent interdict to stop the DA from providing residents with water. 

The judge however could not find any substantial reason for the interdict to be granted and also questioned the urgency with which the matter was brought to court by the ANC. 

It is mindboggling that the uncaring ANC would want to stop the DA from helping our people. If anything, it shows just how much they have changed. They are more interested in maintaining power at all costs, instead of looking after those most in need. 

Access to water is a basic human right, enshrined in our Constitution. We are therefore pleased that we will be able to continue providing residents with the water they so desperately need. The DA will continue with our programme of helping vulnerable communities across the province. 

This is a great victory for the people of Masilonyana, who continue to suffer at the hands of an uncaring and unresponsive ANC government. An even greater victory for democracy will come on 3 August, when people come out in their numbers to vote for change that brings better services to all.  

Issued by Patricia Kopane, DA Free State Leader, 21 July 2016