The residents of Marapong in Lephalale Local Municipality have not had water for six days now and are facing a severe and escalating water supply crisis due to the municipality’s failure to maintain essential infrastructure. The DA will approach the South African Human Rights Commission if the municipality fails to urgently address this matter as we believe the continued shortage of water in Marapong may lead to a health crisis in the area.
The shortage of water continues to disrupt school activities and schools in the area had to release learners at 10 am yesterday. Residents are also struggling to carry out daily activities such as bathing, cooking and basic sanitation.
The municipality is delivering water through water tankers but it is not nearly enough to cater for all the affected residents.
The DA has been calling for maintenance of the infrastructure in the municipality to avoid such a crisis and despite reporting to the municipality, no meaningful action has been taken to address this ongoing crisis. The lack of accountability by the municipality for this ongoing crisis is deeply concerning.
This situation infringes on residents’ constitutional right to water and also represents poor management of water infrastructure. Immediate intervention is required to restore normal water supply and repair water infrastructure in the area.
The residents of Marapong deserve reliable access to water and we call on municipal authorities to take immediate action to resolve this crisis and restore the dignity of the community.