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Public Service Commission must intervene regarding NMB and Buffalo City water crisis

By

Dear Editor

The DA welcomes the national intervention in the water crises in Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City following sustained pressure from DA councillors, but it is unfortunately too little too late.

Today, 10 March 2022, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, and Executive Mayors Eugene Johnson (Nelson Mandela Bay) and Xola Pakati (Buffalo City) are embarking on a two-day visit to Port Elizabeth to discuss the water crisis.

Where were these ministers these past months, while residents of these Metros have had no water in their taps, and when the water was so contaminated, we could not drink it?

A talk shop that does not include all the stakeholders is not going to solve the problem. We need qualified people who can do the work to ensure a reliable source of clean drinking water.

Many areas across NMB have been suffering recurrent, extended water outages for months. Water testing results since October 2021 have shown the municipality’s water supply to be contaminated.

These failings were hidden from the public, and residents were only made aware that their water was not safe to drink last month, after the DA backed the municipality into a political corner.

The matter was so poorly handled that, after receiving submissions from the DA in Nelson Mandela Bay, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Public Protector have confirmed investigations into matter. The DA has also laid criminal charges regarding this issue.

Buffalo City has also been experiencing months of water outages, with Mayor Pakati telling residents that their water is not safe to drink on at least two occasions. The DA in Buffalo City has also laid a complaint against the municipality with the SAHRC.

The DA will now request the Public Service Commission (PSC) to investigate whether the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City municipalities have the capacity to provide a safe and sustainable water supply.

The PSC is tasked to investigate, monitor, and evaluate the organisation and administration of the Public Service. This mandate also entails the evaluation of achievements, or lack thereof of government programmes.

Urgent interventions are needed to ensure that the ANC-led governments in these metros do not continue to endanger the lives of residents, and deny them their basic right to water and sanitation.

The DA will continue fighting for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City.

Regards

Nqaba Bhanga, MPL
DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.