EFF calls on Minister of COGTA Velenkosi Hlabisa to outline plans to prevent water disaster in municipalities in Gauteng
14 October 2024
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) demands that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs outline a concrete plan to avoid the water crisis in South Africa, particularly in municipalities in the Gauteng Province.
On the 12th of October 2024, Rand Water issued a concerning notice regarding a rising crisis of water supply in the municipalities in Gauteng, as a result of excessive withdrawals of bulk water by municipalities. The crisis that Rand Water has raised reveals that water storage levels are critically low, and that water supply could soon be depleted if the necessary measures are not put in place to avoid disaster.
The EFF has in recent weeks raised multiple concerns with regards to water supply in South Africa, in particular as it relates to the mounting levels of debt owed by municipalities to Water Boards which threatens water infrastructure and supply. This debt owed by municipalities is largely due to poor rate collection from large co-operations and the mining industry which utilise large supplies of water, but do not pay rates, leaving municipalities unable to pay water boards and placing citizens at risk.
The general mismanagement of municipal finances and water related issues in municipalities falls directly at the feet of the Minister of COGTA, who since assuming office has not been able to outline any plan to stabilise internal systems within municipal governance and resolve the debt and water challenges confronting the sphere of governance he presides over.
Although the Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina is equally responsible, the inaction by Minister Hlabisa is a cause for concern. It confirms to the EFF that the political bargaining following the 2024 Provincial and National Elections has produced Ministers who are not suitable for the responsibilities expected of them.
The EFF calls on Minister Velenkosi Hlabisa to immediately provide a detailed plan on how he intends to alleviate the debt challenges confronting municipalities and water boards. Additionally, to provide a way forward for all municipalities, particularly those in Gauteng, on how the pending water crisis is going to be avoided through management of use and distribution of water at a municipal level.
Further to this, if Hlabisa is not beholden to major cooperations and mining sector industry interests, considering his political campaign was funded by the Oppenheimer family which holds major interests in South Africa's mining sector, then he will immediately demand that these entities pay the debts they owe to municipalities or cut off water supply to them.
Issued by Leigh-Ann Mathys, National Spokesperson, EFF, 14 October 2024
