Democratic Alliance press statement by:
Councillor Jan Van Rhyn
DA Caucus Leader, Madibeng Local Municipality
Water crisis in Madibeng further risks the health of residents
Date: 23 March 2020
Release: Immediate
Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English and Afrikaans by Jan Van Rhyn, DA Councillor in Madibeng Local Municipality.
The Democratic Alliance in Madibeng is concerned with the ongoing water crisis in Madibeng that leaves residents without water for at least seven days at a time.
Last week residents from areas such as Brits Town, Sonop, Letlhabile, Mothutlung and surrounding areas were without water for a week.
The capacity of the current treatment plant in Brits is at 60 million litres of water per day with a maximum production of 55 million litres per day.
The reason the water plant is suffering is due to the bad quality of the water that comes from the Hartbeespoort dam being pumped into the plant. The plant only managed to clean 40 million litres and lost the balance in backwashing the system.
The problem was further exacerbated by the incompetence of officials who changed treatment chemicals they normally use and using a chemical that is wrong for the water system.
The DA Shadow Minister of Water and Sanitation, Leon Basson then requested intervention from the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, who visited the water plant.
The DA also arranged with water specialists from Rand Water and Magalies Water to come and assist with finding a solution.
These interventions worked in some areas however, some residents are still without water.
The world is threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic and people have been urged to observe strict hygienic practices by regularly washing their hands, given the water challenges this makes it difficult for some residents in Madibeng.
The DA Shadow Minister, Leon Basson, will continue to engage with Deputy Minister Mahlobo to urgently resolve the water crisis in Madibeng before there are any health consequences to residents.
The Deputy Minister must also investigate the conduct of the Madibeng officials who were negligent in dealing with the crisis.
The DA will continue to communicate and update residents regarding the water challenges through the local papers, radio, community forums and social media platforms as the municipality is failing to articulate on the issue.
The provision of sufficient and portable water is a basic human right, but due to the incompetence and lack of infrastructure maintenance by Madibeng Local Municipality is depriving residents of this right.
Media Enquiries:
Cllr Jan Van Rhyn
DA Caucus Leader, Madibeng Local Municipality
082 376 4248
Idah Satikhe
DA North West Communications Officer
079 700 5382