WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT

BY STAFF REPOTER
MIDDELBURG – Federal leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen told residents of Doornkop in Middelburg access to running water is a basic human right. Steenhiusen visited the area on the weekend Saturday to generate for votes ahead of the local government elections on 1 November. He was accompanied by DA Mpumalanga leader Jane Sithole, national spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube and Steve Tshwete Mayoral candidate Bosman Grobler.
“Of all the basic services a local government is meant to deliver, clean drinking water is surely the most important. It is so important that it is written into our Constitution as a human right. They have to supply it to you or they will have failed in their Constitutional duty,” he said. “I know about the water tanks that are meant to be filled by contractors appointed by the ANC government, but are often left empty for days, even weeks, at a time. I know about the poor water quality, and of the long distances some of you have to walk to collect water in containers,” Steenhuisen said. “These things are not right. Your local government has had 27 years in which to sort this out, and yet here you are – no closer to having your water issues sorted out than you were two decades ago.” “If a local government cannot guarantee this basic human right – if it cannot install the taps, fix the pipe leaks, maintain the infrastructure and replace the stolen cables – then it has no business being in government. Then it must make way for one that can do these things.” Steenhuisen further said that the DA governments understand that dignity and quality of life are impossible without access to water and other basic services. “I’m not talking about putting in a few standing taps along the road. I’m not talking about a few water tanks filled every now and then by well-paid ANC cronies. I’m not talking about water points that require residents to push wheelbarrows for kilometers to fill their containers. I’m talking about clean, running water right near your home. That’s your right, and that is what a DA government will deliver,” he said. “And we will do the same for electricity provision. And refuse removal. And flush toilets. And street lights. And road resurfacing. All the things that will make your life here liveable.” DA received 33 603 (17%) votes during the 2016 government elections retaining 17 Council seats trailing behind the ruling party that got 64 124 (63%) votes retaining 32 seats while the EFF got 13 027 (13%) getting 7 seats.