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Minister Sisulu must account for Alfred Nzo Watertank Scandal as Coronavirus spreads

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Dear MyPE

Several thousand households in the rural areas of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) are at risk due to not having clean drinking water and making use of dirty streams, also used by animals and for the washing of clothes, as their only water option.

This after the water tanks promised to them by the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, proved to be yet another failure during a time that proper drinking water and sanitation are non-negotiable in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

I recently conducted oversight inspections in rural municipal wards in Mount Frere, Ntabankulu, Matatiele and Mbizana and found them to be without running water. In one instance, the tap that should be supplying 1 800 households with water, has run dry.
All the tanks delivered by Minister Sisulu are empty as they are of such a shoddy quality that they cannot hold water. Many of these tanks are just lying around next to the houses of local ANC Councillors.

Tanks in certain wards in Matatiele are functioning but are not of any use as the Alfred Nzo District Municipality has failed to refill them with water.

It seems that the tenders awarded to deliver and erect these tanks were given to ANC cronies and that proper procedures were not followed.

I will write to Minister Sisulu to request a full investigation into this watertank scandal and to act swiftly to save the people from this district, most of whom have been without running water for more than 20 years.

The DA previously held a picket and handed a petition over to the ANDM Mayor regarding the water situation in his district, but no action was taken.

We reported the situation to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). According to the Commission the Municipality has not replied to any of its correspondence.

National government must now intervene to save our people.

The DA warned government that the Eastern Cape is becoming the epicentre of Covid-19 corruption and these revelations prove that the ANC and its cadres are more interested in lining their pockets than saving lives.

We will not rest until public funds are spent with complete transparency and accountability and value for money is achieved.

The DA will not fight to ensure that our people are provided with their basic rights to water and sanitation – the most basic necessities in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Regards

Baxolile ‘Bax’ Nodada MP
Alfred Nzo 2 Constituency Leader

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