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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will through its Spokesperson on Coghsta, Freddy Sonakile, MPL, write to MEC Mmoloki Cwaile, requesting him to intervene in the impasse between the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and Sedibeng Water due to the non-payment of the bulk water supply account which led to the suspension of water services in the district.

Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality currently owes Sedibeng Water a massive R500 million accumulated from a historical debt held with Botshelo Water.

The same district municipality that recently splurged over R300 000 on a strategic planning session in Parys, a meeting that could have been held within the district at a much lower cost, can’t pay its water account with Sedibeng Water.

The DA will propose to MEC Cwaile that payment of water accounts must be ring-fenced to ensure that the municipality never defaults or misappropriates the money on other items.

The DA is also of the view that Ngaka Modiri District Municipality should build its internal capacity and manage its project and water facilities without outsourcing the function to Sedibeng Water.

There is also a need to ensure that there are systems in place to manage invoices and payments against the work done to curb future disputes regarding payments.

In terms of the Constitution of South Africa, water is a basic human right and everyone has a right to have access to it. It is also unacceptable that residents will now be without water due to mismanagement of the district municipality whilst they continue to pay their municipal accounts.

It is clear that the ANC is no longer interested in governing and providing even basic services such as water. Residents cannot continue to be held hostage to their mismanagement and incompetence.

On 27 October 2021, residents must reject this failing and corrupt ANC government, and vote for a DA-led government that will immediately restore service delivery to all.

Issued by The DA