THE water crisis in Mzansi is a sign that the government is failing its people.
This is according to Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which has called for urgent action to solve the problem.
IFP national spokesman Mkhuleko Hlengwa said on Wednesday, 11 October, that it was a constitutional obligation for the government to ensure the right to water for all its citizens.
“The IFP calls for immediate attention to the deteriorating state of bulk water infrastructure and the alarming lack of maintenance in the Gauteng and Western Cape provinces and throughout South Africa,” he said.
Water shortage in the country forced Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu to announce “water-shifting” on 27 September.
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Hlengwa pointed out that the problems have highlighted the seriousness of the situation, as communities across Mzansi face water disruptions.
“This matter underscores the constitutional imperative that access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right, as enshrined in the South African Bill of Rights,” he said.
Hlengwa said the department must work with provincial and local governments to restore access to clean and safe water in the affected communities.
Hlengwa said the degradation of bulk water infrastructure and the lack of maintenance have caused severe hardships, particularly for those living in vulnerable communities.
He said it was time for the department to step up and fulfil its responsibilities to the people of South Africa.
He reminded the government that access to clean and safe water was "an indispensable” human right.
“Addressing the issue promptly is not only a matter of necessity, but also a testament to the government's commitment to the well-being of its citizens,” said Hlengwa.
