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Ba-Phalaborwa residents left in the dark over severe water restrictions

by Sybrandt de Beer - DA Councillor in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality

Date: 16 May 2022

Release: immediate

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality Municipal Manager to notify residents of the cause and expected duration of severe water restrictions in the area.

This comes after the implementation of 20% restrictions in water supply in the Ba-Phalaborwa area from the 10th of May as a result of outstanding debt owed to Lepelle Northern Water.

The DA has previously requested the Mopani District Municipality as the water authority to urgently communicate reasons for defaulting on payments to Phalaborwa residents. The DA had also requested the Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor to inform the public on the status of this water restriction issue, as well as when normal supply will resume.

Today is the seventh day that the residents are suffering with no water in the morning and in the afternoon. These water restrictions will negatively impact schools, mines, small businesses, households, medical facilities and also local tourism such as lodges and the Kruger National Park.

The water restriction has a negative effect on the local economy as well as the quality of life that residents experience, and has been caused by poor governance and financial misconduct.

The lack of transparency by both the Mopani District Municipality and Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality has left residents with no accurate information on the current water situation and the steps being taken to rectify the issue.

The DA believes that everyone has the right to access basic water supply in order to ensure that residents have sufficient water and live in an environment that is not harmful to their wellbeing.

Issued by DA Councillor in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, DA Councillor in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality