Note to broadcasters: Please find linked soundbites in English and Setswana by cllr Nelio Nhacuangue
Yesterday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) embarked on a fact-finding mission to Phatsima, Rustenburg, where we were appalled to discover the full extent of the ongoing water crisis. Residents have been without a reliable water supply for weeks, and we found numerous water leaks with clean drinking water flowing freely into the streets. This waste is occurring while communities are left without any relief from municipal water trucks.
The situation has reached a critical level, particularly in Phatsima, where water supply has been severely disrupted over the past two months. Some areas receive no water at all, while others get intermittent access, often only during the night. Desperate residents are forced to fetch water with wheelbarrows or buy water from local donkey carts, a situation that is both unacceptable and unsustainable.
The DA condemns the Rustenburg Local Municipality for its utter failure to provide the most basic of services—access to water. This is a gross violation of human rights, as enshrined in the South African Constitution. The residents of Phatsima and Rustenburg as a whole are being denied their fundamental right to a consistent and reliable water supply.
Next week, the DA will file a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) to hold the Rustenburg Local Municipality accountable for these violations. In addition, the DA will request a meeting with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation to push for urgent intervention and relief for Phatsima and other affected areas. We will demand the establishment of an intergovernmental task team to address this crisis and to ensure a sustainable water supply for all residents of Rustenburg.
The DA will not rest until every resident has access to clean, reliable water. It is time for those in power to stop neglecting their duties and start delivering basic services to the people of Rustenburg.