EFF Gauteng denounces political weaponization of water supplies by Rand Water in Ekurhuleni municipality

18 September 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) call on Rand Water to desist its disruptive operations in the supply of water to parts of Ekurhuleni Municipality, under the competent and capable leadership of EFF public representatives in the People's Government.

The disruption in water supply follows an intermittent distribution of water to parts of Daveyton, Etwatvva and mostly Tsakane Township, which has left reservoirs empty' much to the detriment of the community, unable to cater for its everyday use of water for health, hygiene and sanitation purposes, This disruption has also affected parts of Tshwane and Johannesburg.

The well-managed Department of Water, Sanitation, and Energy under EFF leadership in Ekurhuleni Munidpality bears no evidence of the technical and structural defidencies resulting in a lack of water in Tsakane, except for nefarious attempts by ANC-controlled Rand Water to run taps dry.

Predictably, communities on the path of political victimization by the incapable Rand Water culminated in the township and informal areas, always marginalized by ANC-led government departments and its entities. Regretfully, Rand Water is supplying ample water to affluent areas in Kempton Park and Alberton, while vast sections of Tsakane and other black-populated townships are dry and destitute.

The lack of water in Tsakane township and informal areas lands no credible explanation, pervaded with sinister antics by the politically compromised water utility to destabilize black communities effectively served by EFF public representatives in the municipality.

The EFF calls on the water utility to focus on delivering services the municipality is paying for and refrain from engaging in the political terrain. We also call on Rand Water to show respect to communities by issuing out timely notices for any anticipated water disruptions so the municipality can make necessary arrangements in time.

We commend the Department of Water led by MMC Fighter Leshaka Manamela for providing water tankers to communities and priority areas like clinics and hospitals.

Water is a very precious resource, central to basic human rights, it cannot be used for cheap political scoring. The EFF calls for the immediate restoration of water supplies in Ekurhuleni Municipality to preserve life in the community, failure to which we will embark on a protest to hold the water utility accountable.

Issued by Nkululeko Dunga, Provincial Chairperson, EFF, 19 September 2023