DA says Rand Water is throttling supply to Govan Mbeki Municipality, but mayor denies it
“The truth is that they are failing to pay the water utility. This, however, doesn't give Rand Water a right to deny people their constitutional rights to have access to clean water,” said DA's James Masango.
James Masango, the DA member of the Mpumalanga legislature, said Rand Water is throttling the Govan Mbeki Municipality for non-payment.
Masango said this was confirmed by the MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Speedy Mashilo, during a portfolio meeting held on November 28 at the Mpumalanga legislature in Nelspruit.
“The municipality must stop lying to the residents about the Rand Water breakdowns and other misleading information.
“The truth is that they are failing to pay the water utility. This, however, doesn’t give Rand Water a right to deny people their constitutional rights to have access to clean water,” said Masango.
“We will challenge Rand Water. People of Bethal and eMzinoni have now been without water for weeks and they were never told the truth about what is happening.
“If the water utility has issues of non-payment by the municipality, they must take the legal route and not deny communities their constitutional right,” said Masango.
Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma said on Monday morning the municipality has not received any communication from Rand Water on the matter. He said Rand Water would have informed them if the water provider was throttling the municipality.
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