by Ald Cilliers Brink –
DA Tshwane Caucus Leader
The Democratic Alliance (DA) now has confirmation that something is seriously wrong with the Hammanskraal clean water project, and that the mayor of Tshwane does not know what’s going on.
The first phase of the Hammanskraal water project was launched earlier this year, with the mayor assuring residents that the water was safe for consumption.
On Tuesday, the 11th of February, my DA colleague Cllr Themba Fosi visited Hammanskraal where several residents in the first phase told him that they have not had any water for the past two weeks.
Yesterday, the DA called on the mayor to provide an explanation of what was going on with the Hammanskraal clean water project. And today, she tells residents that, contrary to what was previously announced, the available water should not be consumed.
Incompetence of this nature not only destroys public trust; it also places public health at risk.
If the DA and other groups had not raised our concerns, we suspect that the mayor would still have been silent on the issue.
I will write to the Minister of Water and Sanitation to express the DA’s serious concern about the mismanagement by Tshwane of the Hammanskraal clean water project.
In the meantime, we call on the City to prepare targeted communication to residents making it clear that the water should not be consumed.
Tshwane Talks readers have been able to read stories in this publication for free for over two years now. We still want our readers to access our stories for free, but we are asking those among our readers who can afford it to contribute at least R30 a month to cover some of the costs of publishing this independent, non-aligned online newspaper which gives a voice to all sectors of society irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, or political affiliation. You may make your contribution by depositing at least R30 a month into Tshwane Talks' bank account. Details are as follows:
Bank Details
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 10225548834
Account Type: Cheque Account