Rhodes University has invited Makana residents to join them in a protest march against ongoing water outages.
Rhodes University has invited Makana residents to join them in a protest march against ongoing water outages.
The march, on Wednesday 14 August, will start at the Rhodes Clock Tower at 1pm and will end at City Hall.
There march leaders Vice Chancellor Dr Saleem Badat and Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela will hand over a formal public statement to officials of Makana Municipality.
Much of Grahamstown's water supply has been switched off for more than eight days to allow for repairs to a pump. The pump provides water to the city from the Waainek water treatment plant.
Parts were reportedly ordered and fitted, but a further problem arose which required a specialist to be flown in from Gauteng last weekend.
According to Makana this was done, but yet another problem was identified with part of the pump’s electrical system.
The lack of water could have serious implications for health and sanitation.
The last time water supplies were cut off for longer than a week, Grocott's Mail reported that continued water outages could have serious consequences for public health in the Makana area (Grocott's Mail 22 March 2013, 'Health fears grow as water cuts continue').
Outbreaks of bacterial infections in university residences were reported this week and the Rhodes Health Centre has provided injections and rehydration solutions for students who fell violently ill.
"Please make you own placards telling the mayor exactly how you feel about no showers or flushing toilets for a week!" reads the Facebook event description for the march.
"The protest will be a peaceful expression of deep concern at the needless suffering which has resulted from the lack of water supply to the university and the citizens of our town."
