Polokwane water crisis: Repeated human rights violations are unacceptable, says AfriForum

The ongoing water supply issues in Polokwane, which have resulted in a serious, week-long water outage in some parts of the city, are, according to AfriForum, an unacceptable violation of residents’ constitutional right of access to basic water supply. AfriForum’s Pietersburg branch therefore demands urgent and transparent action from the Polokwane Local Municipality, the state-owned entity Lepelle Northern Water and the Provincial Government in the midst of this crisis.

Parts of Polokwane have been without any water for more than a week, despite repeated promises by officials that the situation is under control. What started as an unplanned power outage following planned maintenance has escalated into several burst pipes and water leaks. The estimated time to restore water supply to all Polokwane residents is unclear.

AfriForum met with the Polokwane Municipality in June, during which officials assured the civil rights organisation that the water supply problems would be resolved by then. Months later, residents are still facing the same – and even worse – circumstances.

Last week, AfriForum wrote to Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, Premier of Limpopo, and Dr. Cornelius Ruiters, CEO of Lepelle Northern Water, demanding immediate intervention to address the water shortages and unreliable water supply. However, these officials have done little to ensure a clear action plan with timelines for the restoration of reliable and continuous water supply to communities.

“The fact that the residents of this city have to survive without water for almost a week is a violation of their right of access to adequate water supply. The Constitution guarantees this right; therefore, it cannot simply be disregarded through institutional inefficiency or poor management,” says Hendrik Kotzé, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator for Limpopo.

Lepelle Northern Water has admitted that the water supply problems are due to repeated mechanical failures, burst pipelines, power outages and aging infrastructure at the Ebenezer and Olifantspoort systems – the main sources for Polokwane’s water. Tzaneen is meanwhile experiencing similar problems, as Lepelle is also the water supplier there.

AfriForum has therefore made a renewed call on officials to conduct an independent technical audit of Lepelle’s infrastructure, including the Ebenezer and Olifantspoort systems, so that a workable action plan can be compiled; to provide transparent and regular communication to residents; and to work with civic structures, including AfriForum, to improve oversight of water management.

“AfriForum represents thousands of members in Limpopo who are directly affected by this crisis. The civil rights organisation is therefore prepared to escalate this matter to the Department of Water and Sanitation and, if necessary, take legal action to ensure compliance with service delivery obligations if no meaningful progress is made,” concludes Kotzé.