Last October, the residents of Fochville, on the West Rand, took to the streets over water challenges, with the Merafong Municipality officials having been hauled over the coals by the SAHRC on Wednesday.
Merafong Local Municipality has faced intense scrutiny after revealing it has been spending more than R700,000 per month on water tankers to address ongoing water challenges plaguing residents.
This revelation was made during the second day of the public inquiry held by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Wednesday, where municipal representatives, Ntokozo Gubevu and Lehlohonolo Moreki, were grilled by Chairperson Dr Henk Boschoff.
The inquiry comes in the wake of numerous complaints about persistent water shortages, service delivery disruptions, and ageing infrastructure affecting communities in Gauteng. Areas such as Kokosi, in Merafong, have suffered particularly, leading frustrated residents to block roads and burn tyres in protest.
"There were service providers appointed to provide water to communities. The amount is about R700,000 per month. This happened last October when there were water restrictions, especially in Kokosi extension, 4, 5, and 6," explained Moreki, defending the municipality's decisions amidst mounting criticism.
