Johannesburg Water Board called to step down amid ongoing water crisis

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The Democratic Alliance has called for the immediate dissolution of the current Johannesburg Water Board, amid ongoing water crisis.

The party said it believes that qualified water management professionals must be appointed instead based on merit rather than political connections.

According to Wendy Alexander, DA regional chairperson, the ongoing water crisis has reached catastrophic proportions, putting millions of residents at risk.

She lamented cadre deployment and pointed out that it has resulted in the appointment of incompetent individuals to critical positions within Johannesburg Water, leading to the collapse of basic service delivery.

“The crisis we face today is a direct result of years of negligence where critical infrastructure, including reservoirs, has not been built or maintained.

“Routine repairs have been ignored or delayed indefinitely, whilst water levels at the Vaal Dam have reached concerning levels; and the current board has failed to implement any meaningful solutions

“Our residents have suffered through multiple years of water disruptions, with some areas affected for extended periods without this basic human right. This is not merely an inconvenience – it’s a public health and human rights emergency,” she expressed.

Johannesburg Water Board failure to implement programs

Alexander highlighted that the current Johannesburg Water board poses an unprecedented risk to citizens with their failure to implement preventive maintenance programs.

She added; “Among other, invest in critical infrastructure, respond adequately to emergency situations; and plan for future water security demonstrates their complete inability to manage this essential service.

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“This crisis demands immediate action. The Joburg Water Board must go as the people of Johannesburg deserve better than empty promises and dry taps.”

Alexander emphasised that the DA will continue to fight for the rights of Johannesburg residents to have access to a clean, reliable water supply.