/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The continuing water catastrophe in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (MaP) remains the Democratic Alliance’s priority, whilst only an annoyance to the MaP16-run municipality. Several communities have been without water for months. Worsened by Eskom’s implementation of higher stages of loadshedding leading to more severe water shortages.

The lack of urgency from the MaP16-run municipality is unacceptable, and the Democratic Alliance will continue to push for immediate action to address this dire situation. All stakeholders must work together to find a sustainable solution to provide these communities with access to clean water.

Steps that the DA have taken to find a solution include:

The DA has provided the solution of isolating the four major water treatment plants (WTPs) in MaP. The isolation can be a dedicated power line to the plants or lower loadshedding schedules for areas in which the WTPs are situated.

We have proactively written to Eskom requesting the above scenarios to be implemented. Eskom responded and suggested that the request should be initiated by the municipality for consideration. We, therefore, sent several requests to the Municipal Manager to meet with him, to date the MM has not seen the water supply as a priority and has therefore not availed himself.

Considering the MM is unwilling to proactively join in the search for solutions, the DA has written a letter to MaP Water, Board of Directors. It implores the entity to devise costing figures to install dedicated power lines to all of the major WTPs.

We have submitted our inputs for the IDP process. This submission also included the urgent plans that need to be made to reduce the impact of loadshedding on the WTPs.

Additionally, we will file a motion to be tabled at the next Special Council Meeting that the council instruct the Executive Mayor to enter into such negotiations with Eskom to minimise the impact of loadshedding on water supply through the implementation of load curtailment and lower loadshedding schedules at Sterkfontein, Fika Patso, Metsi Matso and Wilge Treatment Plants.

The DA is continually raising critical service delivery issues in the Provincial Legislature. This includes a request to the Premier that the municipality be placed under Section 139 (7) of the Constitution. It will allow administrators at the national level to take over the administration of the municipality. Premier Dukwana responded to Leona Kleynhans MPL's recent Section 139 (7) request by saying, "not every avenue to rescue the municipality has yet been exhausted." In this regard, the community does not have the luxury of time, and the ANC-run Provincial Legislature is in denial and betraying the Maluti-a-Phofung communities for political gain.

The DA will continue to follow every avenue to rescue Maluti-a-Phofung communities from the failures of MaP16 and the ANC. The DA is committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urges all residents to register to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections.

Issued by Eleanor Quinta - DA Councillor Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality