SAHRC confirms water is restored to pensioner’s home and R110,000 water bill being investigated
Statement by Mark Rountree, National Policy Officer for GOOD
14 May 2020
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GOOD wishes to thank the South African Human Rights Commission for investigating the R110,000 water bill of Capetonian Mrs Elisabeth Ryneveld, an 80-year old Elsiesriver pensioner.
The water to her home was reportedly cut off in October 2019 and she had been without running water since that time. Six weeks ago, the case was reported to GOOD and evidence of the injustice was submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission.
We are pleased that the SAHRC has confirmed that Mrs Ryneveld’s access to water has been restored. The SAHRC is furthermore planning to liaise with the City Ombudsman regarding the water bill and may refer the matter to the Public Protector.
We believe that the ridiculous water account is another cruel case of the city’s excessive water tariff. Cape Town’s water tariffs – imposed in 2018 and which remain in place today – resulted in the City accumulating tens of billions in cash reserves. The dams supplying the city are higher than they have been for five years and the time for reducing costs is long long overdue.
Mrs Ryneveld is on medication and is a high risk person during this Corona pandemic. Not having running water in her home and being forced to get water supplies from her neighbours and other sources outside her home would continue to place her and her household at greater risk of infection. GOOD appreciates the speedy work of the SAHRC in this matter.
Ends