MEC MTSHWENI EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS IN THE NKOMAZI MUNICIPALITY

MEC MTSHWENI EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS IN THE NKOMAZI MUNICIPALITY

By BRIAN KAJENGO

The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Mpumalanga, Hon. Refilwe Mtshweni has expressed concern about the sporadic service delivery protests in the Nkomazi Municipality.

The protests took place in three villages, namely: Steenbok, Mzinti and Kamhlushwa for lack of water.

MEC Mtshweni said while department acknowledges the concerns however the protests undermine the government’s commitment to provide water in affected areas.

“COGTA is working with the Nkomazi municipality and the Department of Water to implement water projects aimed at providing water to all affected villages.

“In Steenbok and Mangweni construction of steel tanks reservoirs is underway to provide 2 Mega litres of water to the local communities. In addition, the municipality has two projects in Mangweni that include Water Reticulation and Bulk line to assist with the high demand of water.

 “We recognize the right of our people to have access to water, as enshrined in the Constitution, hence these efforts,” MEC Mtshweni said.

She further expressed concern that in some instances communities are responsible for the lack of water as they allow their own people to connect to the pipes illegally.

“Illegal connections are a major problem in all these villages. We have discovered that these illegal connections reduce the pressure of water, making it difficult for communities at the tail end of the villages to obtain water. We are working with the Nkomazi Municipality to stop illegal connections as part of the solution to make water available to every household,” MEC Mtshweni added.

BVUNZAMUTUPO NEWS learnt that in the meantime the local municipality uses water tankers to deliver water to affected villages. MEC Mtshweni appealed to the communities to be patient as government is addressing the water challenges.