The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina together with the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane convened an urgent stakeholder meeting on 30 March 2025 in response to the ongoing unprotected strike at Amatola Water.
The meeting was attended by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Provincial Police Commissioner, Executive Mayors and Municipal Managers of affected municipalities, and the leadership of the Amatola Water Board and Executive Management.
The meeting received a comprehensive update on the strike’s background, legal implications, operational impact, and the interventions undertaken by Amatola Water to secure water infrastructure, safeguard staff, and restore supply to communities.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting:
1. Immediate Restoration of Services
All parties reaffirmed that access to water is a basic human right. Steps have been taken to restore operations, with full resumption of water supply expected by 31 March 2025. Water tankers have been deployed in the interim by affected municipalities. A dedicated technical team has been established and will meet daily (7:00–8:00 AM) to monitor the situation and ensure stability.
2. Call for Employees to Resume Duty
Employees are urged to return to their workstations immediately. Water services are legally designated as essential, and the public cannot be held at ransom. All matters of concern will be addressed through legal and recognised platforms.
3. Respect for the Rule of Law and Interdict Enforcement
The Provincial Commissioner has confirmed that the SAPS stands ready to enforce the court interdict granted on 27 March 2025. No unlawful conduct will be tolerated, and all reported cases; including intimidation, interference with operations, and threats, will be thoroughly investigated.
4. Mediation and Labour Relations Reform
While the right to raise workplace concerns is protected, this must be done within the framework of the law. The Minister and Premier have agreed to explore a short-term mediation process, led by COGTA and Amatola Water, without condoning lawlessness or undermining institutional authority.
5. Institutional Governance and Accountability
The Board has been urged not to dismiss the seriousness of any allegations. All matters, including those raised by whistleblowers, will be investigated through due process. However, this must occur without compromising service delivery or yielding to threats
and intimidation. A culture of accountability, as envisioned in the Labour Relations Act, must be re-established.
6. Support for Amatola Water Leadership
The leadership shown by the Acting Chief Executive and Executive Management in restoring order and ensuring continuity of service was commended. The Board’s firm stance in upholding governance and consequence management was noted and supported.
The Minister has committed to personally monitor developments over the next two weeks, working closely with the Board, management, and municipalities to bring closure to the matter. The Premier reaffirmed that water service delivery must remain agile, reliable, and free from disruption.
The Department of Water and Sanitation, the Provincial Government, and all municipal partners remain united in their commitment to protect the integrity of water services and ensure that the people of the Eastern Cape are not denied their basic rights.
Enquires:
Ministerial Spokesperson, Cornelius Monama
Cell: 083 271 0808 |
E-mail: monamac@dws.gov.za
Departmental Spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa
Cell: 060 561 8935 |
E-mail: mavasaw@dws.gov.za
EC Provincial Government Spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie
Cell: 081 028 8841 |
E-mail: khuselwa.rantjie@ecotp.gov.za
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