The Nama Khoi Local Municipality in the Northern Cape is calling on the Human Rights Commission and the Water and Sanitation Department to hold the Vaal Central Water Board accountable for failing to provide basic water services.
The municipality blames technical failures, pump breakdowns, electricity disruption and inadequate maintenance protocols for leaving residents without water.
Nama Khoi Municipality spokesperson Jason Milford says, “Since 2021, we have been working towards solutions through complaints lodged with the South African Human Rights Commission, and requests made to the Department of Water and Sanitation, despite Vaal Central Water Board’s shortcomings, we have spent approximately R3 million to support water provision and continue to pay millions in water bills. We reiterate our calls for authorities to intervene decisively and implement a sustainable action plan to restore the dignity of the Namakwa community.”
