AfriForum wins order against Rand Water’s reduction in water pressure to GMM
Residents had to get by without running water for weeks at a time.
AfriForum won an order against Rand Water, with costs, in the Pretoria High Court on May 10.
In November 2020, Rand Water reduced water pressure in several areas due to the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality’s inability to settle outstanding debts.
Although water pressure was greatly reduced in several towns, this left parts of Bethal and Leandra without water.
Residents had to get by without running water for weeks at a time.
AfriForum applied in March 2021, to review the decision to lower the water pressure after the organisation determined the process had insufficient public participation.
After two years of delay, Rand Water’s legal team finally settled the matter and the high court in Pretoria declared the decision invalid and illegal.
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AfriForum set up emergency water points in Bethal and other affected towns to help communities if their taps ran dry.
Volunteers are manning these emergency water points at no extra cost.
“AfriForum will not just stand by and watch as communities are punished because of the mismanagement of state organs and municipalities.
“We will not hesitate to act if these draconian measures were to be implemented again in other areas,” said Hennie Bekker, AfriForum district coordinator in the Highveld.
