DA Gauteng Leader Exposes Water Crisis in Tshwane, Criticizes Minister’s Denial
Residents of Tshwane, a city in the Gauteng province of South Africa, are facing a severe water crisis, according to DA Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga. He criticized the Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, for denying the existence of the crisis during a protest on November 15. Msimanga accused the minister of lying and demanded immediate intervention to resolve the situation.
Msimanga highlighted the lack of water supply in Soshanguve, an area directly serviced by Rand Water, and the insufficient water allocation to municipalities by the same provider. He emphasized that the DA is not spreading false information, but rather it is the minister who is lying. Msimanga insisted that water is a basic necessity, and the government should prioritize resolving the crisis.
Furthermore, Msimanga revealed that he had previously engaged with Minister Mchunu and the CEO of Rand Water, Sipho Mosai, and had been assured of interventions two years ago. However, the promised actions have not been implemented, and there are still areas in Gauteng without water to this day.
Msimanga expressed frustration on behalf of the residents who have been deprived of water for extended periods of time. He warned against allowing Rand Water to follow the same path as Eskom, the troubled state-owned electricity utility. Both Rand Water and municipalities have neglected infrastructure maintenance, leading to dilapidation and water scarcity. Msimanga emphasized the need for a comprehensive infrastructure master plan to prevent further crises.
Gauteng has been grappling with water shortages for years due to a lack of proper planning. The reserves beneath Rand Water are currently depleted, exacerbating the crisis. Msimanga demanded immediate and transparent interventions to rectify the problems. He stressed that uninterrupted access to clean and safe water is a fundamental right that all Gauteng residents deserve.
DA Tshwane spokesman, Kwena Moloto, echoed Msimanga’s concerns and called for the removal of the CEO of Rand Water. He emphasized the importance of voting for a DA-led government in Gauteng in the next election to address these issues effectively.
In response to the accusations, Minister Mchunu denied the existence of any registered water crisis in Tshwane or any other municipality. He claimed to work closely with mayors and stated that no municipality had reported such problems.
The water crisis in Tshwane highlights the urgent need for coordinated action and intervention from the government to ensure a reliable water supply for its residents. The concerns raised by the DA Gauteng leader emphasize the importance of addressing infrastructure issues and planning effectively to avoid such crises in the future.
