The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Water and Sanitation as well as Rand Water that of the formation of a Joint Operations Committee to ensure a coordinated effort to deal with the water shortages in Gauteng as well as a precautionary measure for any future mishaps.
The Committee visited Rand Water yesterday and is satisfied that the initiatives implemented are bearing fruit. “We have satisfied ourselves as a Committee that Rand Water has implemented effective strategies to deal with the challenge faced by residents within the past week. There is no water crisis in Gauteng and people must know that they will from now on get water,” said Mr Mlungisi Johnson, the Chairperson of the Committee.
Furthermore, the Committee was given an assurance that levels in reservoirs are stabilising and that those residents in high lying areas will also get their water soon. The Committee is pleased by this information and trusts that Rand Water will deliver as promised.
With this said, the Committee wishes to emphasise the need for a collaborative effort towards dealing with vandalism and theft of copper, valves and cables that are an integral part in the distribution of water. “Clearly we are dealing with organised scrap metal syndicates who place their narrow economic interests above those of this beautiful country. These unscrupulous elements are preying on the poverty of our people and are targeting strategic infrastructure that deliver efficient services to our people. These are people who care less about the country or its citizens but rather they remain interested in serving their narrow, selfish economic interests,” Mr Johnson emphasised.
The Committee will in the next term of Parliament engage the department and all law enforcement agencies to find lasting solutions in dealing with this problem.
As a first step towards this collaborative effort the Committee urges anyone with information on vandalism and theft of any water supply infrastructure to come forward with information that may lead to the arrest of these elements.
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Malatswa Evans Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
