The decision by the City of Tshwane to scrap historical municipal bills for residents of Hammanskraal has been hailed as a crucial recognition of the hardships they faced when provided with dirty water for decades.
This was according to ActionSA caucus chairperson, Jackie Mathabathe, who expressed a vote of confidence in the decision that residents deprived of potable water for almost 20 years “should not be burdened with paying for water they did not consume”.
He was reacting to MMC for Utilities Themba Fosi saying that the municipality had also taken a decision to write off historic debt associated with the recently audited water meters in the township.
Fosi said the scrapping of debts will give residents an opportunity to start afresh with new potable tap water expected to be supplied from next month from the Magalies Water Package Plant.
The delivery of potable tap water in September will be an interim measure facilitated by the City in partnership with Magalies Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The long-term plan to ensure residents continue to receive running water will be achieved after the completion of the ongoing upgrades at the Rooiwal wastewater plant.
According to Fosi, substantial progress had been made across various components of the Rooiwal project.
While Mathabathe welcomed the decision to scrap historical debts, he called for those struggling financially to be registered on the City’s indigent programme to receive basic services.
“The City's decision to scrap historical debts is just one part of a comprehensive plan that includes registering residents who cannot afford to pay on the city's indigent register,”he said.
He said his party will continue to closely monitor the upgrades at the Rooiwal plant and will work towards ensuring the quality of effluent can be measured starting in December 2024.
“ActionSA is committed to fighting for a future where access to clean water, a fundamental human right, is a reality for all residents across the City,” he said.
Pretoria News