Statement from Brett Herron, GOOD member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature
26 March 2020
URGENT PLEA TO CITY OF CAPE TOWN: STOP WATER DISCONNECTIONS DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
Panicky residents of Khayelitsha who have had their water supply disconnected by the City of Cape Town are pleading to be allowed to use their taps to maintain hygiene during the Covid-19 crisis.
The residents report that they are not receiving any water since being disconnected despite a legal right to a supply of water at a flow rate of not less than 10 litres per minute – and despite the City of Cape Town’s commitment not to disconnect residents from water.
GOOD this week also received reports from residents and community activists living in several informal settlements across the Cape Metropole complaining of water supply failures in their areas.
Across the world, including in South Africa, people are being urged to wash their hands as a critical defence against contracting the coronavirus.
With just hours before the nation enters the mandatory 21-day stay-at-home, depriving people of water in or close to their homes forces them onto the streets. It is not only nonsensical but also immoral, and a criminal dereliction of duty by the Cape Town Metro.
The immediate provision of water to all residents is not a nice-to-have. It is a necessity.
The City of Cape Town must immediately reconnect any family whose water supply has been disconnected, and implement disaster measures in informal settlements whose water infrastructure has been inadequately maintained.
I have written to the Executive Mayor and the MECs for Local Government and Human Settlements calling on them to act with the utmost urgency. I have also alerted the South African Human Rights Commission.