GMM to probe water crisis in Kinross
The valve that is supposed to pump water to the second reservoir is closed and not pumping water.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, told the Kinross residents the municipality would appoint a private investigator to determine why valves along the water supply system were closed off.
Zuma said this after a community protest began on the night of May 12. Residents blocked the R547 intersection in Kinross with burning tyres and rocks.
They claimed they had no for 11 days, and their ward councillors were mum. Some residents accused the GMM of not buying enough bulk water from Rand Water.
They claimed this to cause low water pressure and taps to run dry.
“As Kinross residents, we are not prioritised in our water crisis. This is not something new. We have previously also protested about the same water crisis.
“We are used to at least having water at night since the dawn of democracy, but now they decided to shut it down.
“How can we survive without water?” asked a community member.
“The municipality is violating our constitutional right,” said another.
After listening to the protesters, Zuma inspected the two water reservoirs in Kinross. Some community members accompanied him.
The mayor afterwards declared many things were not right at the pump stations.
“The valve that is supposed to pump water to the second reservoir is closed and not pumping water.
“What we noticed is that it was not closed with its key,” he explained.
“Another problem has to do with where the municipality’s bulk water pipe joins the Rand Water pipe. The gauge shows water is being pumped to Kinross, but it doesn’t pass to the second reservoir from where water must be distributed. This means other valves that are also closed. I instructed our employees to open those valves.”
Zuma said the municipal manager must appoint a private investigator to determine if the valves were intentionally closed by employees or someone outside the institution.
He said although the municipality was capable of such an investigation, he wanted an independent person to investigate the matter because employees were implicated.
Zuma also uttered his surprise at residents not having water while the municipality owes Rand Water R800m.
Some residents also questioned why, despite not having water, their water consumption bill was high.
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Zuma responded by saying sometimes air also makes the meter run without water. He promised to order the finance department to investigate the matter.
Though Zuma promised the community that they would have water on the day of his visit, the taps remained dry.
Residents continued their protest until Zuma returned with a promise to send water tankers to the affected communities.
The EFF councillor, Dan Khoza, and three community members were arrested on May 15 for public violence.
They were all released on free bail after appearing before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on May 16. Their case was postponed to June 20.
