The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the speedy response by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to the debt-induced water crisis in Postmasburg. This follows our complaint lodged against the Tsantsabane municipality and the Vaal Central Water Board last week for the violation of residents’ right to access to water.
After having met with an official of the SAHRC in Postmasburg yesterday, the DA is encouraged that, through the additional pressure to be exerted on the municipality and the water board, there is a greater chance of this matter being speedily resolved and of a repeat case of similar water cuts being prevented.
The DA notes the subsequent involvement by the MEC of COGHSTA, the Premier, and the Department of Water and Sanitation in the Tsantsabane water debt crisis, which see the municipality owing over R118 million to the water board, in addition to the establishment of a task team to address outstanding water bill issues with Vaal Central Water Board. We are also aware that a payment of R5 million has, in the interim been made to Vaal Central Water and that they have agreed to increase water flow from 30% to 70 % inflow water pressure. While this facilitates greater interim access to water to residents of the worst affected areas like Boichoko, Airifields and Mountain View, the matter is not yet resolved.
The DA hopes that the SAHRC will take the lead with strong recommendations to help enforce the implementation of a sustainable solution that will ensure that the water board has the surety for retrieving its outstanding monies from Tsantsabane, while residents have the security of an uninterrupted water supply.
The DA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the SAHRC, as we also apply pressure on the municipality to finalize a debt payment agreement with the water board.