AfriForum directed an urgent letter to the respective municipal managers of the Tshwane Metro and the Madibeng Local Municipality on 23 August to place these municipalities on terms over a looming water crisis in Madibeng. The Tshwane Metro issued a statement on 19 August in which it indicated that it was considering suspending the water supply to the Madibeng area, in which Hartbeespoort and Brits are situated. The Madibeng Local Municipality, which receives its water from Tshwane, owes about R150 million in water supply charges.
In its letter AfriForum warns the municipalities to discharge its duties towards the community in terms of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997. This Act stipulates that everyone has a right to basic water and sanitation, as well as that every water services institution must take the necessary steps to ensure this right. In terms of legislation, the minimum quantity of drinking water is 25 litres per person per day, or 6 kilolitres of water per household. The Act also requires that consumers may not be without water for more than seven days.
“Access to clean water is a constitutional right. It is completely unacceptable that people are unsure of whether they will be enjoying this right in future simply because of the municipality’s financial mismanagement. AfriForum will continue its pressure on these municipalities and will consider all steps in compelling these municipalities to discharge their duties,” says Petrus Coetzee, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Marico.
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