Old and dilapidated water infrastructure in many municipalities in Mpumalanga, compelled the DA to go the way of the pen is mightier than the sword.
The party will write to the premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, for urgent intervention.
Their spokesman on CoGTA, Ms Trudie Grové-Morgan, issued a statement in this regard on Monday, 29 March.
Lekwa Municipality was mentioned as an example where water provision is affected.
The admins of WhatsApp-groups can hardly keep up with the enquiring nature of residents when water supply is affected in mid-town and the township.
According to the statement, a request will be made for the two per cent, which is ring fenced from all of the department’s budgets for maintenance of existing infrastructure, to be used to deal with the issues.
“Having access to a stable water supply, plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, as it is used for hygiene purposes, cooking and cleaning and for sanitation,” Ms Grové-Morgan said.
“On the economic side, having a stable access to a water source, drives the agricultural sectors, abattoirs, food processing plants and supports heavy industries in our province.”
Ms Grové-Morgan also said the distribution of water in Mpumalanga is hampered further by debt owed to external entities such as Rand Water.
“Rand Water in turn implements water throttling and water pressure reductions for outstanding amounts.”
Astral Foods in Standerton has been affected cost-wise by water shortages and a figure of close to R100-million was cited.
Job security of the workers was also threatened.
The statement concluded by saying Lekwa lost 83 per cent of the total water that was purchased in the 2018/19 financial year.
