Gauteng water crisis: Mokonyane is missing in action 

25 September 2014

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, and representatives from Rand Water, failed to arrive at an emergency meeting in Kempton Park today to address the water crisis that has crippled Gauteng for the past two weeks.

Most metropolitan areas in Gauteng have been left dry or have experienced sporadic water supply, despite assurances from Rand Water and the water departments of the Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Metros that the issue is under control.

Minister Mokonyane was expected to meet with Rand Water and the Parliamentary Water and Sanitation Portfolio Committee this morning to assess the extent of the crisis, and implement contingency plans. 

At the last minute, the Minister and Rand Water inexplicably failed to arrive.

The consequences of this water outage have been far-reaching, affecting residents, businesses, schools and hospitals. 

The lack of communication from government and Rand Water is indicative of a government trying to hide the problem. 

The DA calls for the establishment of a Joint Operation Communication Centre comprising of the ministry, Rand Water, and the Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Tshwane metros to provide hourly briefings until the situation has stabilised.

The economic heartbeat of South Africa will come to a standstill if no decisive action is taken soon. The DA will investigate why the Minister and Rand Water abandoned the emergency meeting. 

Statement issued by Nosimo Balindlela MP, DA Shadow Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation, September 25 2014

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