By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – The latest Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) council sitting has seen the Democratic Alliance (DA) intensify calls for accountability, slamming a lack of clear solutions presented by the municipality as evidence of its failure to uphold basic human rights.
The DA’s stance is now reinforced by the outcomes of the November 7 council meeting, where the executive mayor Malekula Melato and her mayoral committee (Mayco) failed to provide concrete answers to the community’s pressing water and sanitation issues.
During the council session, the Mayco report on water and sanitation was met with widespread frustration from councillors, who criticized the lack of actionable solutions.
MAP16 Civic Movement councillor Azael Nhlapo expressed confusion over the unclear division of maintenance responsibilities between MAPWater and Vaal Central Water.
“It’s unclear who is responsible for what; who is who in the zoo and without clarity, the water crisis is bound to continue. We need practical, coordinated solutions to restore access to safe water,” Nhlapo said while addressing the council.
Councillor Nare Ramohloki of MAP16 gave a stark warning, emphasizing the community’s mounting frustration.
“If we don’t address these issues immediately, we’re going to see an eruption of anger. I’ve shared a list of ongoing water projects with the MMC for water and sanitation, but nothing seems to be moving forward,” Ramohloki said, highlighting what he described as ‘the council’s carelessness’.
With these frustrations surfacing in the council chamber, the DA’s move to escalate the issue to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), demanding an investigation into MAP’s handling of water and sanitation was justified.
The SAHRC confirmed that MAP had failed to cooperate in previous inquiries, ignoring requests for essential information. In response, the commission has vowed to continue its investigation, aiming to hold the municipality accountable for denying residents access to reliable water a basic human right.
DA whip councillor Moshe Lefuma.
The DA sees this council sitting as further validation of its position that MAP’s ongoing neglect constitutes a human rights violation.
DA whip Moshe Lefuma, emphasized: “The council’s own members are demanding answers, yet the municipality has consistently failed to deliver. We welcome the SAHRC’s involvement and will support every effort to bring relief to the people of MAP.”
As the community’s discontent grows and councillors warn of potential unrest, the DA is committed to ensuring that the residents of Maluti-a-Phofung receive the essential services they need and deserve.
One Response
Our infrastructure during the ANC government is out of order bt when we look back at apartheid regime it was 100%perfect we are dying BCS of this ANC looting money etc.