The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently presented a petition to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding the enduring water shortage in Emalahleni Local Municipality.
A pressing issue that has persisted for over a decade in many ANC-governing Municipalities. The urgency of addressing this problem is of national interest. The potable water crisis has worsened during the past years in many Municipalities.
Municipalities persistently violated the constitutional provisions to provide residents with access to potable water. Frequent, prolonged water outages and water quality issues are unacceptable.
Moreover, the high manganese concentrations and pollution from mining in the greater Emalahleni area have significantly impacted residents’ lives.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in many of their investigations across the country is in agreement that municipalities are violating the rights of their residents.
Factors contributing to the ongoing water crisis include:
- Water demand surpassing supply.
- Infrastructure nearing the end of its lifespan.
- Dependence on an aged, under-maintained electrical infrastructure, further compromised by cable theft and load shedding.
- Contaminated water unsuitable for drinking or washing forces residents to rely on unsafe alternative sources.
- Unattended water leaks persisting for hours, days, or even months before being repaired.
- Dysfunctional Municipalities
It was evident from the presentation by the Municipality and Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs that the problems experienced by municipalities are ANC-generated and immediate interventions are needed.
The DA will not sit by idly and let the ANC violate our community’s Human Rights as provided by the Constitution.