Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by Kagiso Mangwejane
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus in Tswaing will open a formal case with the South African Human Rights Commission against Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality for violating residents’ rights to access sufficient water.
The community of Kopela Village in Ward 4, continues to suffer under a prolonged water crisis while the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) remains unresponsive.
In sections such as Rapulana, residents have endured more than 15 years without reliable access to water, surviving through the generosity of private borehole owners. Families are forced to live under drought-like conditions without basic service delivery.
Two intervention projects were initiated in Kopela but remain stalled and inactive:
- COGTA Project (Entrance of Kopela): Stalled for years, offering no relief to residence.
- Ngaka Modiri Molema Project (Rapulana Section): Also, inactive and failing to assist the community.
Following an oversight inspection by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo MP, a year ago, where clear directives were issued to activate these projects, no progress has been achieved under the watch of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
Section 27(1)(b) of Constitutional and Human Rights Violations guarantees that “everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water.” The state is obligated to take reasonable legislative and other measures to progressively realise this right. By failing to provide water to Kopela residents, NMMDM is infringing upon constitutional rights and undermining the dignity of the community.
The DA Caucus in Tswaing will request CJ Steyl MPL, Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, to escalate this matter to serve before the Portfolio Committee in the North West Provincial Legislature.
The people of Tswaing cannot continue to suffer due to the ANC’s political failures and neglect. Where the DA governs, service delivery is prioritised over political squabbles, and communities are not left to suffer without water.