Sand bucket challenge undertaken by two councillors

Two DA councillors today (Thursday) underwent a sand bucket challenge to show solidarity with residents and businesses that have been without water.

The sand bucket challenge was undertaken by Clr Stefanie Kruger (of Ward 24) and Clr Jackie Reilly, outside the Germiston Council Chamber, at the monthly council meeting.

“The Democratic Alliance showed the ANC today how the ruling party is burying its head in the sand over the current water crisis and challenged Rand Water, Eskom and the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality (EMM) to immediately reinstate basic services to all residents,” said a DA Ekurhuleni caucus press release.

Parts of Benoni were without water, or had a sporadic supply, for over a week.

Water was restored to Cloverdene and Crystal Park – the worst affected areas – on Saturday.

The DA said in the press release that the metro should have informed residents what was going on and when water would be restored.

“The ANC seems oblivious to the serious health risks that come about when toilets cannot be flushed and basic hygiene cannot happen,” said the DA.

“The effect on the very young and the elderly as well as the sick poses even more problems.

“This crisis, which the ANC refuses to acknowledge, even affected hospitals this week while businesses have reported significant loss of income and productivity.”

On Monday, Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the water shortage was “due to erratic bulk water supply from Rand Water and unprecedented high water demand driven by hot weather and panic storage of water in large quantities”.

The municipality did apologise for any inconvenience caused through the unplanned water interruption.

Read an article on the cause of the shortage by clicking here.

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