President Cyril Ramaphosa may be shocked when he experiences first-hand the state of decay in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, but thanks to AfriForum he will at least not have to go thirsty, unlike residents in certain parts of the municipality.

The civil rights organisation yesterday (July 30), on the eve of the president’s visit to the Mpumalanga Highveld municipality, sent directions to its emergency water point in Bethal.

Ramaphosa is attending the opening of the Ummbila Emoyeni Wind Farm outside Bethal today (July 31).

Taps in towns across the municipality ran dry about two weeks ago because of planned maintenance by Rand Water.

Since then, about 310 000 residents in Bethal, Secunda, Trichardt, Evander and Leandra have had to cope without this essential resource.

Since water supply to the towns was halted on July 17, AfriForum, in cooperation with farmers in the Bethal area, has helped ensure residents have access to water at the organisation’s emergency water point in the town.

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About 320 000 litres of water have since been delivered free of charge to this point and to other locations, including schools and care homes.

According to Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the Mpumalanga Highveld, residents of the Govan Mbeki Municipality have been experiencing ongoing water supply problems for at least seven years.

In the latest crisis, maintenance work carried out by Rand Water on July 17 left taps dry across the municipality.

Although water supply has been restored in some areas, residents in Secunda, the municipality’s seat, are still without water. As a result, some schools have been forced to suspend classes.

In contrast to previous interruptions, when Bethal was usually the last town to have its supply restored, this time it was first in line.

During yesterday’s municipal council meeting, it was argued that Sasol’s empty reservoirs were the reason Secunda’s taps remain dry and why water was pumped to Bethal before Secunda. Bekker, however, believes the president’s visit may have influenced the decision.

“The municipality’s attempts to explain away the water issue simply do not hold water. Where Bethal repeatedly draws the short straw when it comes to Rand Water’s water reductions, things are suddenly different this time. It is no coincidence that Bethal is now first to receive water in the midst of an ongoing water crisis,” said Bekker.

Bekker added that if taps once again run dry, the president and his entourage would be welcome to collect water from AfriForum’s emergency water point, just as Bethal residents have done for the past two weeks.

“He will then be able to see for himself how the Govan Mbeki Municipality is failing to meet its constitutional obligations and neglecting residents’ right of access to water in every corner of the municipality,” said Bekker.

Emergency water points bring relief
AfriForum’s initiative to establish emergency water points in towns and cities struggling with water shortages began in 2020. Since then, such points have been set up in dozens of towns and neighbourhoods.

The organisation has invited businesses and farmers in the Secunda area to become involved in the initiative and assist with establishing an emergency water point in the town. For more information, contact Bekker on 084 905 6415.