GOOD Press Statement by Sarah Mabotsa,
GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor
15 November 2023
GOOD accepts the Public Protector’s report on the ongoing water crisis in Hammanskraal, Pretoria.
According to Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka, the City of Tshwane is failing to provide residents with “clean water that is suitable for human and animal consumption.”
In May this year, over 20 people lost their lives in a cholera outbreak in the area.
Ever since then, the political football has been passed between the city and National Government to determine responsibility for the matter.
It is GOOD’s view that blame rests on the City of Tshwane – which has been controlled by ANC and DA led governments for the past 15 years.
The Public Protector’s report states that i) the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works experiences an 18% overload, meaning all the water that passes through it is not treated and ii) the Temba Water Treatment works is not built to treat wastewater and sludge. These plants remain below standard, despite crucial recent investments and intent to invest.
The City of Tshwane has ‘direct jurisdiction’ over water matters in Hammanskraal; they cannot blame other departments for their chronic underperformance.
GOOD also acknowledges the PP’s call for an inter-governmental response between the city and the Water and Sanitation Department.
The crisis in Hammanskraal requires burning intervention as to prevent future health disasters and loss of life. National attention on this matter is crucial.
Given the crisis at hand, it is disappointing to hear from mayoral spokesperson – Siphosethu Stuurman – that there is in fact “no ongoing crisis”.
These comments are detached from reality.
Residents in Hammanskraal must rely on water tankers to deliver one of their basic rights of life. This water is only available at designated collection spots, which means elderly residents must often walk far for access. There also have been some reports that water tankers only arrive every other day.
The spokesperson’s comments confirm that city officials are untouched by their own governance failures.
GOOD calls on Mayor Cilliers Brink to adopt a “family meetings” approach to the Hammanskraal water crisis. At the height of COVID, President Ramaphosa held regular briefings to update South Africans on efforts to combat the pandemic.
The mayor and his team must – considering this emergency – take residents into their confidence. GOOD believes the people of Hammanskraal are owed overdue honesty.
The Public Protector has given the city 60 days to formulate a plan of action to address the matter. Cilliers Brink must use these meetings to update us with progress on his implementation plan.
These regular briefings will finally create a line of communication to residents who have been disregarded for nearly two decades.
Since May, GOOD has called for the parties responsible for this crisis to act. We will continue to do so until tangible change is seen.
Media Enquiries:
Sarah Mabotsa, GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor
Cell: 064 684 8640
Email: smabotsamuthivi@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za