The civil rights organisation AfriForum reached an agreement with Rand Water over the recent months’ water crisis in Emfuleni and Victor Khanye. These communities has faced serious water problems since February this year.
Rand Water implemented a decrease in wate pressure recently as a credit control measure after non-payment by the Emfuleni Local Municipality. The municipality owes Rand Water more than R1 billion but have time and again reneged on payment agreements reached with Rand Water.
On 15 April 2021 AfriForum submitted court papers against Rand Water in a bid to compel the utility to restore sufficient water supply to the affected communities. The organisation requested in its court papers among others that Rand Water be ordered to immediately restore water supply to the communities and that the utility be prevented from lowering water pressure in future as a credit control measure.
Rand Water requested that an agreement be reached outside of court. The agreement includes among others that AfriForum withdraws its court case on condition that Rand Water undertakes to restore water pressure and to refrain from lowering water pressure in future. This agreement has been confirmed by the court. The water pressure has since been restored in large parts of Emfuleni, according to reports.
Stephanus Blignault, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the West Rand, says that the agreement is a major success for the community. “It is proof that large utilities cannot deprive communities of their basic human rights. It remains a priority for AfriForum to protect communities’ rights.”
According to Bronwen Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Highveld, it is a privilege that AfriForum is able to support communities in difficult times. “It is a major success when we ensure that communities – who previously struggled to execute basic daily tasks as a result of water shortage – can now rest assured.”
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