DA calls on humanitarian intervention in Gauteng water crisis

11 March 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng will today write to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to prioritise the Gauteng Water Crisis.

Last year, the DA handed over a complaint to the SAHRC urging urgent intervention, and an in-depth investigation to the water crisis that was plaguing the province. This crisis, the creation of an inept ANC government, and deployed Rand Water CEO, leaves hundreds of thousands of taps dry daily in what is supposed to be the economic heartland of the country.

This morning, 11 March 2024, the economic hub of the country, is being reported as having a collapsing water system. Residents of Johannesburg, Mogale, Merafong and the entire province of Gauteng require action immediately.

These continued water outages hit the most vulnerable amongst us the hardest, those of us who cannot afford to buy bottled water, are left out once more when water tankers aren’t despatched or run dry.

Today, we will write to the SAHRC, as well as the relevant executives at Rand Water, and municipalities across the province, to demand answers as to why taps are dry. We will also gladly assist the SAHRC in giving them this information as we receive it – there can no longer be excuses.

We want action.

There has been far too much talk and no action, and the people of this province deserve better than that. At the very least, they deserve water in their taps.

While we have petitioned the minister to fire the Rand Water CEO, he has chosen to ignore thousands of residents’ call to action. He has shut his eyes to the problems of those of us who live outside of Bryntirion Estate faces.  If the minister will not fight for the people of Gauteng, the DA will.

Issued by Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, 11 March 2024