Rand Water welcomes ruling on AfriForum’s interdict against supply cuts to municipalities

VAAL TRIANGLE - Rand Water says AfriForum’s court action to prevent it from reducing water supply to seven municipalities that owe it over R3billion has failed. In its application, AfriForum asked the High Court in Pretoria to order the water utility to restore full water supply to the affected municipalities, saying the decision to reduce supply had far-reaching implications for the affected communities. The affected municipalities are Emfuleni local municipality, Lesedi local municipality, Rand West local municipality and Merafong City local municipality in Gauteng, Ngwathe local municipality in the Free State; and Govan Mbeki local municipality in Mpumalanga. The High Court in Pretoria ruled on Tuesday (26 March) that an interdict for the restoration of water supply to six municipalities in these provinces is unnecessary as Rand Water has already stopped water cuts here. Nevertheless, the court found that Rand Water’s water cuts were illegal at face value and determined that AfriForum must approach the court again on an urgent basis for an interdict if it becomes aware of any similar water cuts by Rand Water. However, Rand Water said in its statement that it is It is a distortion which borders on contempt of Court that the High Court made an order that prohibits Rand Water from cutting off water supply to Municipalities. Rand Water says it welcomes the ruling as the debt municipalities owe it is escalating at a rapid pace. This after AfriForum’s Petrus Coetzee argued that access to clean water is a basic human right.

PHOTOS: (Rand Water)