The DA in Maruleng is concerned that service delivery protests is imminent due political differences and the incompetency of Mopani District Municipality (MDM) to provide water to our rural communities.
Residents of Bismarck, in Maruleng ward 6, have been without water for more than 30 days due to broken borehole pumps and an electric metre box.
This is a blatant violation of Section 27 of The Constitution that guarantees the right to have access to sufficient water.
It is really astounding that a district municipality with a budget of more than R 2 billion, is incapable to fix and secure a borehole pump.
The lack of regular access to water in Bismarck is a longstanding issue and MDM’s recurring hollow promise to restore access to water has left the community desperate.
This week, roads to and from Bismarck were blockaded by the community and were only cleared after the SAPS arrived.
It is further alleged that the power struggle between the ANC Mayor of Maruleng and the former ANC, but now independent ward councillor of Ward 6, is exacerbating the lack of urgency to restore the water.
The South African Human Rights Commission found MDM in violation of Section 27 in their 13 October 2023 report and recommended that MDM immediately implement the Compulsory Standard of 25 liters water per person daily.
The DA urges the municipality to ensure that they comply with the SAHRC recommendation to avoid a community unrest. It is clear that the ANC government has little regard for residents’ fundamental right to water – Vote for change on 29 May 2024 to remove the ANC out of power.