The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted evidence of the ongoing human rights violations in relation to access to water in Wrenchville, to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). This follows the SAHRC’s provincial inquiry into the state of Ga-Segonyana municipality.
When residents of Spokiesdorp, Wrenchville first occupied their homes in December 2018, they had access to running water and could flush their toilets. A subsequent glitch in the system dried up the water in their taps for seven years and counting, as an easily rectifiable water issue remains unattended.
Despite repeated promises made by the municipality, and a directive issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation in July this year, for Ga-Segonyana to address the matter within seven days, the municipality has not taken action. The municipal manager and directors instead continue to blame water pressure issues caused by the incompatibility of two different sized pipes used at the Spokiesdorp housing development. The piping plan for the development also still cannot be traced and the location of the underground stop cock, which is likely closed, remains unknown.
The DA submitted a copy of the petition, that we previously ran to put pressure on the municipality to restore water and basic services to Wrenchville, to the SAHRC.
In addition to continuing with the fight for water, the DA reported evidence of worsening sewage spills in Wrenchville to the SAHRC. Ad hoc use of the sewerage lorry fails to provide a sustainable solution to residents, causing residents’ homes to be engulfed by sewage.
The DA also asked the SAHRC to look into the ongoing delays in the completion of the Spokiesdorp housing project that commenced in 2016. The promised 59 homes have yet to be built, with only ten houses completed over the last two-year period.
Residents of Wrenchville deserve better quality of life and we hope that, through the intervention of the SAHRC, their living conditions will improve.