The National Government has finally been forced to act on water shortages in Msukaligwa local municipality following a successful complaint by the DA to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
On the 13th of February 2019, the DA held a public meeting in Skaapruiz Informal Settlement, Msukaligwa municipality, with a specific focus of addressing this community’s concerns over the lack of water and greater service delivery.
Immediately following this oversight, the DA submitted a letter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on the same day (13 February 2019), requesting the Commission to investigate the provision of water in Skaapruiz and Nyibe to determine if their right to water was being infringed upon or not.
As further research from the 2016/2017 Integrated Development Plan revealed that residents in Sheepmoore, Lothair, Chrissiesmeer and other areas of Msukaligwa municipality have also complained of a lack of water, we included these areas in the complaint to the SAHRC.
After the DA’s complaint was lodged, the Commission worked tirelessly on the matter and they kept us informed at every stage. Following this intervention and investigation, the DA was informed that the municipality planned and took steps to ensure that:
- From the 1st of March 2020 water given to Skaapruiz in the form of tankers, would be increased to three times a week and this provision would be further increased to five times a week in July 2020.
- Acknowledging the water demand in Sheepmoore is exceeding what the municipal boreholes can supply. They proposed the construction of a 7.1km pipeline from the Usuthu Vaal pipeline to Sheepmoore, a refurbishment of the 2ml steel reservoir and 85kl elevated tank, the refurbishment of the booster pump station and pipework.
- In Lothair, the municipality planned to resuscitate the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant project and construct a pipeline between Breyten and Lothair.
- In Chrissiesmeer there are plans to keep the reservoirs at 50% to maintain pressure.
The DA’s persistence with the water issue and our complaint to SAHRC paid off as the National Department of Water and Sanitation finally acknowledged the problem and started acting.
On the 16th of March 2021, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, kick started the Greater Breyten Water Supply Scheme project in Warbuton. The project which is scheduled to be completed in 2024 will ensure that the residents in Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Lothair and Warburton will have access to water.
The DA would like to thank all the affected residents of Msukaligwa local municipality for working with us in demanding help for them to get access to clean water as required by the Constitution.
The DA acknowledges the work done by the SAHRC in Mpumalanga after receiving our complaint. They managed to act and secured the right to water for all the affected communities of Msukaligwa.