The DA in Govan Mbeki is appalled to learn that the municipality misled the public about the cause of the water shortages across the municipality.
The municipality lied to residents claiming that high demand or infrastructure challenges caused the recent water shut offs. There must be harsh and urgent consequences for this. The DA calls for real action, against the persons involved in this lie.
During a CoGTA portfolio meeting that took place yesterday, MEC Speedy Mashilo revealed that due to the municipality’s debt to Rand Water exceeding R800 million, Rand Water imposed a 50% water throttling on Govan Mbeki. This has exposed Govan Mbeki’s lies.
The throttling by Rand Water in turn caused widespread water shortages throughout the town, and was not linked to “high demand or infrastructure challenges”
Ranked among the top defaulting municipalities across the country by Rand Water, the municipality assured the public that a payment plan will be arranged to service this debt timeously but the municipality failed to manage its finances and make regular payments to Rand Water.
This deliberate misinformation spread by the ANC administration demonstrates their disregard for transparency and accountability. The municipality’s continuous failure to manage its Rand Water debt calls for a financial review of the municipality’s spending, and priorities.
The DA will fight for the rights of residents and will continue to push for the improvements needed to secure reliable access to water for all.
The DA will also escalate this lie to the Gert Sibande District Municipality, most importantly so that it intervenes in Govan Mbeki, to formulate a solid repayment plan with Rand Water and a strategy to improve revenue collection in Govan Mbeki.