The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Norman Mokoena, has met with the Mayor of Emalahleni local municipality, Councillor Linah Malatjie to discuss the issues of the poor drinking water quality in the municipality. The aim of the meeting was to find solutions to address the water problems that have plagued the municipality. This follows a number of concerns that have been raised by residents of the municipality around the quality and colour of the water in the area.
At the meeting which was also attended by the Department of Water Affairs, it was resolved that immediate action needs to be taken to correct the problems in the area. The Department of Water Affairs has been tasked to immediately move into the municipality to investigate the problems and come up with possible measures that can be introduced to deal with the problem.
MEC Mokoena says the department’s immediate concern is to ensure that water quality is improved but also to ensure that issues of capacity and institutional arrangements are dealt with. “I would like to appeal to the community to be patient and work with national, provincial and local government as we deal with this matter. The matter is receiving urgent attention and in dealing with this problem we will seek to find a long term solution” said Mokoena.
It is expected that the Department of Water Affairs will present a report to the department in the next two weeks. After the report has been presented a way forward will be determined.
Contact person:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs
19 May 2009
