The recent killing of three protesters in Brits who were protesting against water shortages is a stark reminder how things can easily escalate out of control if urgent issues such as water provision are not swiftly addressed, or if there is lack of communication on corrective action being undertaken by a municipality to resolve such matters.
The recent killing of three protesters in Brits who were protesting against water shortages is a stark reminder how things can easily escalate out of control if urgent issues such as water provision are not swiftly addressed, or if there is lack of communication on corrective action being undertaken by a municipality to resolve such matters.
It should not require a tragedy like the one in Brits, in Madibeng municipality in the North West Province, to unfold to prompt a serious response by the Minister of Water Affairs and leaders within the municipality.
Grahamstown residents, like their counterparts within Madibeng, have been experiencing chronic water problems for a few years now.
While in recent times residents of more affluent suburbs have complained loudly and often via social media platforms and through mainstream media, the reality is that water supply to certain less affluent parts of Grahamstown has been more erratic and has affected a greater number of residents.
These residents have had to endure this unacceptable state of affairs for far too long and often don’t have the financial means to find temporary or lasting solutions.
Some wealthier residents of Grahamstown have, for instance, been able to purchase and install rain water tanks. They have easier access to transport that enables them to source or access water elsewhere until the municipal supply returns to their residential areas.
There is a saying that “enough is enough” and one would think that the residents of Grahamstown have reached that stage given the duration and extent of water supply problems and the history of inadequate communication from Makana Municipality.
The seriousness of Grahamstown’s water problems escalated in 2013 to such an extent that both national and provincial government departments and entities were drawn in to try and resolve matters.
Thankfully the residents' protests that led to their involvement were peaceful.
An action plan was subsequently prepared, but unfortunately in a report dated 28 November 2013 the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission (PICC) noted with concern the lack of progress made with regard to implementing such the plan which had earlier been agreed to between the PICC, Makana Municipality and Rhodes University. The University had earlier approached the Presidency to raise its concerns regarding water supply to the campus.
A key finding within the PICC report was that poor communication existed between Makana Municipality and Makana’s citizens and that this needed to be urgently addressed.
The Commission advised that a communication plan be drawn up by Makana municipality.
According to media reports this has yet to occur. While the municipality has improved communication on such matters via certain updates which now appear on its website, understandable concerns remain that communication to residents who do not have access to such information platforms remains inadequate.
The municipality should make more regular use of broader and more accessible platforms of communication, including community radio.
The tragic events in Brits serve as a stark reminder to us all, but especially to community leaders, politicians and administrative officials within Makana Municipality.
We need to ensure that this year commences with improved management, accountability and leadership across all levels of local government. We need action and solutions to our town’s water supply problems so that we do not create an environment that may result in violence.
Thabani Mdlongwa is a local government researcher with the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM), housed on the Rhodes University campus.
