The DA will write to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Limpopo to request that they investigate the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) for failing to provide consistent clean water to the residents of Klipheuvel in Ward 1 under the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality for the past five months.
Some residents are currently fetching water from a nearby stream where cattle and goats also drink, whilst others have to resort to buying water from their neighbours that have boreholes.
See the pictures here, here and here.
The communal water taps dotted in their village have been without water for the past five months. Some taps have even been vandalized by the angry community.
Failure to provide water is a violation of Section 27 of the Constitution and it is clear that the municipality is transgressing by not affording this community access to their basic Constitutional rights.
The DA can confirm that the municipality has been informed about the community’s predicament but no attempt has been made to provide water tankers as an interim relief.
Amidst the Covid-19 outbreak in the country where residents are encouraged to wash their hands regularly, these residents have nothing to wash their hands with, which puts them at high risk of contacting this deadly virus.
This morning, they engaged with the municipality requesting their urgent intervention but nothing has been planned to help this poor community.
The DA urges the SAHRC to commence with their investigation and ensure that officials are held accountable for transgressing the rights of this poor community.
The DA demand that the Municipality provide water tankers to the community with immediate effect.